Sanofi makes €300 million investment in Innovent for cancer
Two key oncology medications will be brought to patients as rapidly as possible
Sanofi has announced a €300 million investment in Chinese biotech Innovent, as part of a collaboration to bring two new cancer therapies as quickly as possible to patients.
The deal includes an option on a second €400 million investment, and will see the two companies jointly developing tusamitamab ravtansine (SAR408701), a CEACAM5- targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), as well as a pegylated formulation of interleukin-2, codenamed SAR444245 in China.
Sanofi has already taken its ADC into Phase III testing outside of China as a second or third-line therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pitching at regulatory fillings in the US and Europe next year.
The company is also testing it in Phase II trials in gastric cancer and other solid tumours, as a monotherapy, and in combination with other drugs.
Innovent is responsible for developing the drug in China, picking up exclusive marketing rights there, with Sanofi in line for up to €80 million in milestone payments as well as royalties on sales if it gets approved. Sanofi is taking the lead on commercialisation, while Innovent stands to receive up to €60 million in milestones, plus royalties.
“This strategic collaboration with Innovent will not only accelerate the development, market access, and future commercialisation of two of our key oncology medicines in selected combinations with sintilimab, but also bolster our overall presence in oncology in China,” commented Sanofi’s head of R&D, John Reed.