Sanofi to acquire U.S. vaccines company Dynavax Technologies for around $2.2 billion, gaining access to an approved hepatitis B vaccine. The deal represents a 39% premium over Dynavax’s closing share price. Sanofi has been making acquisitions this year to diversify beyond Dupixent, with plans to complete the deal in early 2026 using available cash.

The acquisition marks Sanofi’s second move this year to expand its vaccine portfolio amid U.S. policy changes around vaccines. Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has made moves against vaccines, impacting the industry. Sanofi and other companies have noted pressure on U.S. vaccine sales due to lower vaccination rates and negative perceptions around vaccines.

The deal will also provide Sanofi with access to an experimental shingles vaccine, currently in early stage testing. Analysts see potential for the vaccine to compete in the shingles market, where GSK’s Shingrix is expected to achieve high sales. Separately, the FDA rejected Sanofi’s experimental drug tolebrutinib for multiple sclerosis, prompting a call for consideration of all perspectives in the decision-making process.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Sanofi to acquire hepatitis B vaccine maker Dynavax for $2.2 billion