Sanofi to Offer Non-mRNA COVID Vaccine in Canada to Bolster Uptake

TORONTO, ON – April 09, 2026 – In a significant development for Canada's public health strategy, pharmaceutical giant Sanofi announced today it has become the market authorization holder for Nuvaxovid, a protein-based, non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The company plans to make the vaccine available to Canadians for the fall 2026-2027 respiratory virus season, introducing a new option aimed at expanding vaccine choice and potentially boosting lagging vaccination rates across the country.

The move follows a strategic agreement signed between Sanofi and the vaccine's original developer, Novavax, in May 2024. By taking over the Canadian market authorization, Sanofi will now oversee the production, distribution, and safety monitoring of Nuvaxovid, integrating it into its expanding portfolio of respiratory vaccines.

"With the launch of Nuvaxovid, a non-mRNA protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, Sanofi is now able to offer Canadians greater choice when it comes to COVID-19 protection," said Delphine Lansac, General Manager for Vaccines at Sanofi Canada, in a press release. "Canadians have clearly expressed a need for a non-mRNA option when it comes to COVID-19 protection. With this transfer, Sanofi can now respond to that need."

Addressing a Critical Gap in Vaccination

The introduction of Nuvaxovid comes at a crucial time. Despite the continued presence and severity of COVID-19, vaccination uptake has waned significantly. Public Health Agency of Canada data from the 2024-2025 season revealed that a staggering 73.9% of Canadian adults did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine, leaving a large portion of the population vulnerable.

This gap in protection had severe consequences. During that same period, Canada recorded over 120,718 confirmed cases, leading to more than 33,500 hospitalizations and over 2,300 deaths. The disease also continues to pose long-term risks, including an increased likelihood of cardiovascular complications such as heart attacks and strokes.

Public health experts hope that the availability of a vaccine built on a more traditional technology platform may help address the concerns of individuals who have been hesitant to receive mRNA-based vaccines. Nuvaxovid is a protein subunit vaccine, a technology that has been used for decades in other vaccines, such as those for hepatitis B and whooping cough. This method uses a harmless, lab-grown piece of the virus's spike protein to teach the immune system how to recognize and fight the real virus, without using genetic material like mRNA.

Pivotal Phase 3 clinical studies showed Nuvaxovid to have an efficacy of approximately 90% in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% protection against moderate-to-severe disease. Its established technology and favorable tolerability profile make it a strong candidate for seasonal vaccination campaigns.

A Strategic Move for Sanofi and Canada

For Sanofi, securing the rights to Nuvaxovid is a key strategic move that solidifies its position as a major player in Canada's public health and biomanufacturing landscape. The company, already the largest biopharma manufacturer in the country, is in the midst of a massive expansion, with over $2 billion in new infrastructure investments slated for completion by 2028. This includes two new vaccine manufacturing facilities at its Toronto campus.

These investments are part of a broader strategy to enhance Canada's domestic production capabilities and health security, a lesson learned from the early days of the pandemic. In 2021, Sanofi, with support from the federal and Ontario governments, began construction on a $925 million facility to produce influenza vaccines, aiming to have the capacity to supply the entire Canadian population during a pandemic.

The acquisition of Nuvaxovid's market authorization fits seamlessly into this long-term vision. It diversifies Sanofi's respiratory disease portfolio and aligns with its global agreement with Novavax to co-commercialize the COVID-19 vaccine and collaborate on developing novel flu-COVID-19 combination vaccines. This forward-thinking approach could simplify future vaccination efforts, offering combined protection against two major respiratory threats in a single shot.

The Importance of a Diversified Vaccine Arsenal

The ongoing threat of COVID-19 and the potential for future pandemics underscore the critical importance of maintaining a diverse arsenal of vaccine technologies. While mRNA vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been the cornerstone of Canada's vaccination campaigns, relying on a single technology platform carries inherent risks. Different platforms may offer varied benefits in terms of efficacy against new variants, safety profiles for specific populations, and manufacturing scalability.

Nuvaxovid's protein-based platform provides a scientifically distinct alternative. Its global rollout has demonstrated its viability, with authorizations from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While initial uptake in some regions was slower than for mRNA vaccines, real-world evidence has consistently supported its effectiveness.

As Sanofi prepares for the 2026-2027 season, it is actively working with federal, provincial, and territorial health authorities to plan for the vaccine's procurement and distribution. While specific availability details will be confirmed following these ongoing discussions, the company's commitment signals a new chapter in Canada's long-term management of COVID-19, one that prioritizes choice, innovation, and robust domestic health security.