Study shows Sanofi's Nuvaxovid better tolerated than Moderna's mNEXSPIKE
At the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Global Congress in Munich, Sanofi presented positive data regarding Nuvaxovid, its protein-based, non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
In the COMPARE study, a Phase 4, randomized, double-blind head-to-head trial involving 1,000 adults in the United States, the vaccine demonstrated superior tolerability compared to Moderna's mNEXSPIKE in a real-world setting.
Nuvaxovid showed statistically significantly lower systemic reactogenicity (expected side effects following vaccination) compared to the mRNA vaccine across all predefined endpoints.
The study met its primary endpoint (the probability of experiencing at least one systemic reaction within seven days of vaccination) with statistical significance: 91.6% of mNEXSPIKE recipients were affected, compared to 83.6% for Nuvaxovid.
The data also revealed that 61.3% of mNEXSPIKE recipients experienced moderate-to-severe (Grade 2 or 3) systemic symptoms, versus 43.1% for Nuvaxovid. Furthermore, 58.7% reported moderate-to-severe local symptoms, compared to 38.7% of Nuvaxovid recipients.
Additionally, Nuvaxovid recipients reported fewer disruptions to daily activities, including work, school, leisure, and family responsibilities, during the seven days following immunization.
"Overall, these results suggest that a better vaccine tolerability experience could foster greater vaccine confidence and a higher willingness to undergo annual immunization," Sanofi stated.
Sanofi is the largest European pharmaceutical group. Net sales by family of products break down as follows:
- pharmaceutical products (81.8%): prescription drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, neurological diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, rare diseases, cancers and rare hematological diseases;
- human vaccines (18.2%): pediatric vaccines, vaccines for flu, meningitis, and polio, booster vaccines, and vaccines for travelers and endemic areas.
At the end of 2025, the group had 37 production sites worldwide.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: France (3.9%), Europe (17.1%), the United States (50.8%), China (6%) and other (22.2%).
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