Sanofi — Ethics Grade C

Sanofi receives an overall ethics grade of C (54/100) on CancelCo's corporate accountability database. Sector: Healthcare. Market cap: Large Cap.

Category scores

• labor: 60
• privacy: 75
• consumer: 40
• environment: 65
• humanRights: 55

Documented incidents (3)

• Dengvaxia Vaccine Scandal (high, 2017) — Philippines suspended a mass vaccination program after Sanofi revealed the Dengvaxia vaccine could cause more severe disease in people not previously infected. The controversy led to criminal charges and a collapse in public trust in vaccines.
• FCPA Bribery Charges (high, 2018) — Sanofi paid $25 million to settle SEC charges that its subsidiaries in Kazakhstan and the Middle East paid bribes to foreign officials to win business. The scheme involved kickbacks and travel gifts to government healthcare professionals.
• Zantac Litigation (medium, 2022) — Faced thousands of lawsuits alleging that the heartburn drug Zantac contained a carcinogenic impurity called NDMA. While trials are ongoing, the company has faced significant legal pressure regarding long-term safety disclosures.

Documented good deeds

• Global Health Unit — Launched a non-profit unit to provide 30 essential medicines to 40 lower-income countries at affordable prices.

Ethical alternatives

• Novo Nordisk — Stronger focus on sustainable supply chains and transparent clinical data.