Sanofi enhanced its immunology pipeline by striking a deal with Belgium-based Ablynx that could earn the biotech company up to $2.8 billion. The companies entered into a research collaboration and exclusive licensing agreement with Sanofi initially focused on developing and commercializing Nanobody-based therapeutics for the treatment of various immunemediated inflammatory diseases.
The collaboration gives Sanofi access to eight Nanobodies in Ablynx’s existing portfolio as well as to Ablynx’s scientists and proprietary Nanobody platform.
Ablynx will receive an upfront payment of $26M plus another $10M for research, but Ablynx will be eligible for regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to $2.8 billion with tiered royalties up to low double digits on the net sales of any products originating from the collaboration.
“This collaboration is the latest example of Sanofi’s strategic commitment to expand our drug discovery pipeline in immunology at a time when we are launching new treatments for atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis," said Frank Nestle, MD, Sanofi’s Global Head of Immunology Therapeutic Research Area and CSO, North America. "We are particularly excited by the Ablynx technology as a leading biologics platform, enabling the development of transformative multi-targeting treatment approaches."