MenQuadfi emerges…SK-Sanofi shakes up meningococcal vacc mkt

Launch of MenQuadfi expands the vaccination age for infants…emphasizes the key differentiator

Competing against GSK's "two-track vaccination strategy" with Bexsero and Menveo

While the collaboration on distribution has expanded, Sanofi's vaccine portfolio synergy is gaining attention

The competition for next-generation vaccines has begun as SK Bioscience, in partnership with Sanofi, launches the next-generation meningococcal vaccine, MenQuadfi, into the market.

The key differentiator for MenQuadfi is that it can be administered from as early as 6 weeks of age, significantly expanding the vaccination age for infants compared to existing products. This is viewed as a strategic move to secure portfolio leadership by preoccupying the early stages of the pediatric vaccination schedule.

Product photo of MenQuadfi

SK Bioscience recently cooperated with Sanofi's Korean subsidiary to launch the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine 'MenQuadfi (MenACWY-TT).'

MenQuadfi is a vaccine that can be administered to individuals aged 6 weeks to 55 years, preventing invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by the major meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y.

It was initially authorized for ages 2 and older, then its indications were expanded at the end of August last year to include infants from 6 weeks to under 2 years of age, based on the results of the MET42 and MET61 studies.

MenQuadfi contains 10μg of antigen for each of the four meningococcal serogroups (A, C, W, and Y). User convenience of this drug was improved as a fully liquid formulation that can be administered immediately without the need for separate dilution or mixing.

Among the A, C, W, and Y meningococcal vaccines approved in Korea, MenQuadfi is the only product that includes serogroup A and can be used for infants aged 6 weeks to under 24 months. SK Bioscience will be responsible for the domestic distribution and supply for infants and children.

Meningococcal infection is transmitted through respiratory secretions such as nasal mucus or saliva and can even be transmitted by asymptomatic carriers. Consequently, major countries such as the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada include meningococcal vaccines in national immunization programs or operate them as routine vaccinations based on official recommendations, focusing on infants, children, and adolescents.

In Korea, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) recommends vaccination for high-risk groups, including immunocompromised individuals, laboratory workers, new military recruits, university dormitory residents, those traveling to or staying in endemic areas, and contacts during an outbreak.

Currently, the meningococcal vaccine market in Korea is relatively small. As of 2023, based on IQVIA data, the total market size is less than KRW 10 billion.

The competitor the SK Bioscience and Sanofi joint force must overcome is GSK. Before the launch of MenQuadfi, Sanofi had a meningococcal vaccine called Menactra. Still, its market share was smaller than that of Menveo, GSK's vaccine against invasive meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y, which offers the same preventive effects (vaccination ages differ).

GSK is currently targeting the market through a two-track vaccination strategy using Bexsero, a multicomponent meningococcal group B vaccine launched in 2024, and Menveo.

Sanofi has decided to withdraw Menactra alongside the launch of MenQuadfi. In a situation where the market is small and a next-generation vaccine with broader protection has emerged, the company has concluded that there is no need to maintain a vaccine with the same level of protection. Regarding the exact timing of discontinuing Menactra supply, the company stated it remains flexible, depending on the market inventory.

From SK Bioscience, which is in charge of domestic distribution and supply, it is expected to employ a strategy to increase market share through competition with GSK while maintaining its existing Menactra market.

Positive aspects also exist. Through MenQuadfi, SK Bioscience has added another domestic distribution collaboration product with Sanofi to its market lineup.

According to SK Bioscience's IR materials, the company is engaged in extensive cooperation ranging from National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines to premium vaccines, including the pediatric 6-in-1 DTaP vaccine Hexaxim, the adult Tdap vaccine Adacel, and the RSV antibody Beyfortus.

Following Hexaxim's entry into the NIP and the introduction of Avaxim in 2025, distribution performance for Sanofi-related vaccines rose from KRW 7.5 billion in the third quarter of 2024 to KRW 11.1 billion in the third quarter of 2025.

Given that Beyfortus has begun full-scale operations for the winter season, these results are expected to grow further in 2026.

The company plans to strengthen a preemptive prevention strategy against major pediatric infectious diseases based on its portfolio that includes both vaccines and preventive antibodies.

In terms of R&D, this collaboration is predicted to strengthen further, as the company is currently in Phase 3 development of a 21-valent pneumococcal vaccine with Sanofi.

Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK Bioscience, stated, "With the introduction of MenQuadfi, the options for preventing invasive meningococcal disease in infants and children in Korea have expanded," adding, "We will strengthen the infectious disease prevention setting based on global partnerships and continue to supply vaccines that can contribute to public health."