The probe began in June following concerns that Sanofi engaged in a disparagement campaign against CSL Seqirus’s competing drug, Fluad. Investigators allege Sanofi portrayed the rival vaccine as inferior to Efluelda, prompting an inspection of the company’s premises in September 2025. Under the proposed settlement, Sanofi would publish corrective statements on its French and German websites acknowledging official assessments from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and national advisory bodies. The company has pledged to cease claims that Efluelda is safer or more effective than Fluad through March 2030.

While Sanofi maintains its actions have consistently aligned with competition law, the company is cooperating with the commission to resolve the matter. The European Commission has set an August 21 deadline for stakeholders to submit feedback on these commitments before determining whether to finalize the agreement.