By Helena Smolak

Sanofi is scheduled to report results for the first quarter on Thursday. Here is what you need to know.

BUSINESS OPERATING PROFIT FORECAST: The French pharmaceutical company is expected to make 2.68 billion euros ($3.09 billion) in first-quarter business operating profit--one of the company's preferred metrics that strips out exceptional items--according to consensus estimates from Vara Research. That compares with 2.84 billion euros a year earlier.

SALES FORECAST: The Paris-based group's sales are forecast at 9.64 billion euros, according to the Vara Research consensus. That compares with 10.46 billion euros for the same period the year before.

As of Tuesday morning trade in Europe, the stock is down 3.7% so far this year but up 2.4 over the last 12 months.

WHAT TO WATCH

--U.S. FDA Delays: Sanofi is potentially exposed to any delays in reviews due to recently announced staff firings at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Its anti-inflammatory drug Dupixent was scheduled for review in April, and its multiple sclerosis drug tolebrutinib in September, UBS analysts said in a note.

--Broader uncertainty in the U.S.: "In addition to tariffs, where uncertainty is weighing on the whole sector, the group is heavily exposed to vaccines, with all of the risk that might come from more high profile vaccine sceptic discussions in the U.S.," UBS analysts said. Despite recent policy noise amid the appointment of vaccine sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, Sanofi said its vaccination strategy remains unchanged and confirmed that it's on track with manufacturing preparations for the upcoming season, Barclays analysts said in a note.

--Pipeline: Its three key growth drivers are its hemophilia A treatment Altuviiio, its respiratory syncytial virus shot Beyfortus for infants, and Dupixent, which has a relatively new indication for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to UBS and Barclays analysts. Investors will eye commentary on Beyfortus's geographic expansion and views on the risk from the potential launch of a competitor--U.S. Merck's clesrovimab--this year, Jefferies analysts said in a note. However, Sanofi has so far been confident in Beyfortus despite potential competition from clesrovimab due to its first-mover advantage and solid efficacy and safety profile, Barclays said.

Write to Helena Smolak at helena.smolak@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 22, 2025 06:07 ET (10:07 GMT)

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