Both A and B viruses are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year and currently available flu shots work against both strains.
"To succeed in mRNA flu, you need the next generation of mRNA technology, which is exactly what we are working on," Thomas Triomphe, head of vaccines at Sanofi, told Reuters.
Pfizer (PFE.N) last year started a large late-stage trial testing an mRNA-based flu vaccine candidate.
Sanofi, which is among the top four global vaccines makers by sales, trailing GSK (GSK.L), Merck & Co (MRK.N) and Pfizer (PFE.N), has a broad vaccines offering, including flu, childhood shots and travel vaccines.
The French company's vaccine sales accounted for 7.2 billion euros ($7.85 billion) of 43 billion euros in group sales last year.
Persons:
Thomas Triomphe, BioNTech, Ludwig Burger, Elaine Hardcastle
Organizations:
Sanofi, Reuters, Pfizer, COVID, GSK, Merck & Co, Thomson