Sanofi’s Cell-Based Flu Shot in Phase 1

Sanofi pasteur said Tuesday it began a phase 1 trial of a seasonal flu vaccine produced using cell culture technology.

The company hopes the cell culture production technique will provide a faster way of making flu vaccines than the current method that uses chicken eggs.

Sanofi said the trial is the first step towards filing a biologics license application for the vaccine.

The phase 1 trial will involve 100 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 64. Half will receive the cell-based vaccine and half will receive an egg-based vaccine.

The trial is part of a contract Sanofi was awarded from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services intended to accelerate the development of a cell culture-based flu shot.