BRIDGEWATER, N.J. and
LEBANON, N.H., Jan. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi and
ImmuNext, Inc., announced today an agreement focused on the
development of a novel antibody with the potential to treat a range
of autoimmune diseases including Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis.
Under the terms of the agreement, ImmuNext will grant Sanofi an
exclusive, worldwide license to develop and commercialize INX-021,
a CD40L monoclonal antibody in preclinical development that
suppresses the activity of a cellular pathway that is overactive in
many autoimmune diseases. In addition, Sanofi and ImmuNext will
initiate a research collaboration to support clinical trials.
Potential milestone payments to ImmuNext under the agreement
could total $500 million. ImmuNext is
also eligible to receive tiered royalties up to double digits on
sales of products.
"The immunoregulatory molecule, CD40L, is critical to the
progression of a wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases," said
Randolph Noelle, Ph.D., co-founder
and Chief Scientific Officer of ImmuNext and Professor of
Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine,
Dartmouth College. "Antibodies that block the function of
CD40L have proven in pre-clinical models of autoimmunity to be
amongst the most effective agents in treating disease. The
development of anti-CD40L for the treatment of autoimmune diseases
offers a unique opportunity to silence disease progression and
offer long-term remission."
"Sanofi is committed to expanding our pipeline of specialty
care products in multiple sclerosis, where we have established a
strong foundation, and immunology, where we are poised to launch
new treatments this year for atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid
arthritis," said Frank Nestle,
Global Head of Immunology & Inflammation Research Therapeutic
Area and also North America Chief
Scientific Officer. "We are excited to collaborate with Dr.
Noelle and the team at ImmuNext on this promising
endeavor."
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader,
discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused
on patients' needs. Sanofi is organized into five global business
units: Diabetes and Cardiovascular, General Medicines and Emerging
Markets, Sanofi Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and Consumer Healthcare.
Sanofi is listed in Paris
(EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York
(NYSE: SNY).
About ImmuNext, Inc.
ImmuNext develops compounds on
the cutting edge of immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune
diseases. Our lead product, anti-VISTA, is partnered with
Janssen for the treatment of cancer. Our second product,
VISTA agonists, is partnered with Hoffmann-La Roche for the
treatment of autoimmune diseases. Other programs include a CD40
agonist for neoantigen cancer vaccines and a novel immuno-metabolic
target, in each case establishing new classes of
compounds.
Sanofi Forward-Looking Statements
This press
release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical
facts. These statements include projections and estimates regarding
the marketing and other potential of the product, or regarding
potential future revenues from the product. Forward-looking
statements are generally identified by the words "expects",
"anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "looks
forward" and similar expressions. Although Sanofi's management
believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that
forward-looking information and statements are subject to various
risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and
generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual
results and developments to differ materially from those expressed
in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and
statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other
things, unexpected regulatory actions or delays, or government
regulation generally, that could affect the availability or
commercial potential of the product, the absence of guarantee that
the product will be commercially successful, the uncertainties
inherent in research and development, including future clinical
data and analysis of existing clinical data relating to the
product, including post marketing, unexpected safety, quality or
manufacturing issues, competition in general, risks associated with
intellectual property and any related future litigation and the
ultimate outcome of such litigation, and volatile economic
conditions, as well as those risks discussed or identified in the
public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including
those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement
Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Sanofi's annual report on
Form 20-F for the year ended December 31,
2015. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does
not undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking information or statements.
Contacts:
Media Relations
Sanofi
Name: Ashleigh
Koss
Tel. 908-981-8745
ashleigh.koss@sanofi.com
|
Investor Relations
Sanofi
George
Grofik
Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 77
45 45
ir@sanofi.com
|
|
|
ImmuNext
Contact Name: David DeLucia
info@ImmuNext.com
|
|
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SOURCE Sanofi