Sanofi under investigation on charges including manslaughter

Healthcare company Sanofi Aventis France said on Monday that it had been placed under investigation for charges, including manslaughter.

According to the report from Reuters on Monday, the charges related to Sanofi drug Depakine, which is known to have caused birth malfunctions in some cases.

Sanofi Aventis France added it had respected all its obligations regarding information provided on Depakine, and said that it denied the charges.

The news came close on the heels of GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi's announcement on Monday that they were in advanced talks with the European Commission to supply up to 300m doses of a Covid-19 vaccine once it's ready.

The companies said the vaccine candidate was developed by Sanofi in partnership with GSK and is based on Sanofi technology used to produce an influenza vaccine and GSK's adjuvant technology.