French company wants to develop Zika vaccine

The French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur says it hopes to begin clinical testing in a year in its efforts to develop a vaccine against the Zika virus.

Its CEO, Olivier Brandicourt, said a vaccine will however take at least three years to develop.

Sanofi Pasteur became the first company to develop a vaccine against dengue, which is a disease similar to Zika.

Mr Brandicourt says it is to be established if people who are exposed to dengue have some immunity to Zika as that would help hasten development of vaccine.

     

Author: 
Radio New Zealand International