Sanofi to Fly Meningitis Flag on McLaren Car at 24 Hours of Le Mans

Stock.adobe.com

Sanofi announced an expansion of its partnership with McLaren Racing. The two companies, alongside United Autosports, are helping to raise awareness for meningitis by flying the meningitis flag on the #59 McLaren at the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans. Members of the driving team will also wear the flag’s colors at the event.

In a press release, Sanofi’s executive vice president for vaccines Thomas Triomphe said, “Le Mans is the ultimate race against time—just like our fight against meningitis. At Sanofi, we believe science is our engine, partnerships our fuel, and awareness our finish line. By bringing the Meningitis Flag to the world stage, we’re not just backing a car—we’re supporting a movement. Because when every second counts, we choose to race for lives.”

In the same press release, McLaren Racing’s chief marketing officer Louis McEwen added, “We’re proud to be working closely with Sanofi to support this exciting campaign 30 years since McLaren’s historic victory in 1995. I can’t wait to see the #59 car out on the iconic Le Mans track in support of this great cause."

Vinny Smith, chief executive of Meningitis Research Foundation, also said, “We are delighted to have co-created and supported the launch of the Meningitis Flag, ensuring it reflected the experiences and voices of people whose lives have been deeply impacted by this devastating and deadly disease. We hope this collaboration between Sanofi, McLaren Racing and United Autosports will spark conversation and awareness, helping us reach millions more people with life-saving information on meningitis, its signs and symptoms, the steps we can all take to protect ourselves, and why supporting survivors and their families is so important. For us, this is more than just a flag - it’s a call to action. When people see it, we want them to think fast and act fast, so lives all over the world can be saved."

Sanofi also recently announced support for the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program.² Through Sanofi’s philanthropic organization Foundation S and Sobi, the company will provide support for medical donations and financial assistance for up to 5 years.

In a press release, global head of medical affairs and rare diseases at Sanofi Alaa Hamed said, “Building on the legacy of the original ten-year, one billion IU commitment, this new agreement reaffirms Sanofi and Sobi’s dedication to creating a predictable, sustainable program that addresses unmet needs and advances the standard of care for hemophilia worldwide. Over the past decade, these contributions have expanded treatment availability and transformed patient outcomes. We are proud to leverage the Foundation S expertise and continue providing essential treatments and with this renewal ensuring improvement to the quality of life for thousands of individuals in developing countries for years to come.”

Sobi’s head of R&D and chief medical officer Lydia Abad-Franch also said, “We are immensely proud to continue our contributions to the Humanitarian Aid Program of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH). Since the initial pledge, over 22,000 people with hemophilia have been treated with factor donated by Sobi and Sanofi. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the WFH and look forward to the positive impact it will have on the lives of those affected by inherited bleeding disorders.”

Sources

When every second counts: Sanofi, McLaren Racing and United Autosports join forces to raise meningitis awareness at Le Mans 24 Hours race. Sanofi. April 29, 2025. https://www.sanofi.com/en/media-room/press-releases/2025/2025-04-29-11-00-00-3070005

Sanofi’s Foundation S and Sobi extend their partnership with the World Federation of Hemophilia Humanitarian Aid Program. Sanofi. April 25, 2025. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://www.sanofi.com/en/media-room/press-releases/2025/2025-04-25-05-00-00-3068056