Sanofi and Blackstone in €300 Million Collaboration
Sanofi has agreed a €300 million collaboration with private equity investor Blackstone Life Sciences (BXLS) to advance its innovative treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) Sarclisa (isatuximab). The French drugmaker said it will continue to fully manage the clinical program and retain full rights and control of the treatment.
The Paris-based company hopes the investment will accelerate its global pivotal studies and the clinical development program for the subcutaneous formulation and delivery of the anti-CD38 antibody. If the treatment is successful, BXLS will be eligible to receive royalties on future subcutaneous sales. The pivotal study for the subcutaneous formulation is expected to begin in the second half of 2022.
Additional details of the collaboration were not announced.
Sanofi has partnered with drug delivery technology innovator company Enable Injections to advance the development of a subcutaneous delivery for Sarclisa with the goal of offering a unique patient-centric treatment experience.
To date, the new treatment has received regulatory approval for intravenous administration to certain patients with relapsed MM and is under investigation across the MM treatment continuum of care for other hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The French pharma noted that it has considerable expertise in oncology and has increased research and development capabilities, focusing on difficult to treat cancers, including breast, blood and lung.
Nicholas Galakatos, global head of Blackstone Life Sciences, said the investor is committed to provide innovative sources of financing to the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, offering capital at scale and complementary expertise to help advance important medicines in critical therapeutic areas.
Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist
