The European Commission is conducting unannounced inspections at a company involved in the vaccines sector, suspecting possible violations of EU antitrust rules.

These inspections are focused on potential abuses of a dominant market position, particularly looking into exclusionary practices that could be classified as anticompetitive disparagement under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Commission officials are working alongside national competition authorities during these inspections. It is important to note that the inspections are a preliminary step and do not imply guilt or prejudge the investigation's outcome.

The duration of such inquiries can vary based on case complexity and the level of cooperation from the involved companies. The Commission has previously concluded similar investigations in the pharmaceutical sector, indicating a broader scrutiny of anticompetitive practices in this industry.