Sanofi acquires Dren's bispecific for $600m to boost immunology pipeline

Sanofi, a prominent player in the pharmaceutical industry, is set to enhance its immunology research efforts with a strategic acquisition of Dren Bio's phase 1 CD20-targeted bispecific myeloid cell engager, DR-0201. This move, involving an upfront investment of $600 million, aims to bolster Sanofi's pipeline in immunology by leveraging DR-0201’s promising capabilities.

DR-0201 has shown significant potential in pre-clinical and early clinical trials, particularly in inducing comprehensive B-cell depletion through targeted phagocytosis. This approach is gaining attention as a frontier strategy in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Recent research highlights that achieving profound B-cell depletion might effectively reset the body’s adaptive immune system, potentially leading to lasting remission in patients suffering from persistent B-cell mediated autoimmune conditions, such as lupus. This therapeutic avenue offers hope for patients who are resistant to current treatment options.

Houman Ashrafian, Sanofi's head of research and development, emphasized the innovative potential of DR-0201: “Deep B-cell depletion is at the forefront of autoimmune disease treatment, and DR-0201’s unique mechanism could significantly enhance treatment outcomes, especially for patients unresponsive to existing therapies.”

The agreement, expected to conclude in the second quarter of this year, allows Sanofi to acquire Dren’s affiliate responsible for DR-0201. This acquisition involves an initial $600 million payment, with the possibility of additional future milestone payments amounting to $1.3 billion.

Nenad Tomasevic, Dren Bio’s co-founder and CEO, expressed optimism about this development. He stated, “Advancing DR-0201 into clinical development has been a privilege, and its potential for potent B-cell depletion is significant. Sanofi, as a leader in immunology, is well-positioned to harness the power of deep B-cell depletion to reset immunity in autoimmune patients with this novel approach.”

This acquisition is part of a broader strategy by Sanofi to expand its therapeutic scope in various areas. Earlier this year, Sanofi entered into a notable agreement with Alloy Therapeutics. This collaboration, valued at over $427 million, aims to develop a central nervous system drug using Alloy’s AntiClastic Antisense platform, which is designed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Such advancements could revolutionize genetic medicine approaches for neurological conditions.

In addition, Sanofi has strengthened its collaboration with SK bioscience to work on next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) for both children and adults. This partnership builds on their existing commitment to developing a 21-valent paediatric PCV, which has progressed into late-stage clinical development.

These strategic initiatives reflect Sanofi's commitment to advancing healthcare solutions through innovative research and development. By acquiring DR-0201 and expanding collaborations with leading biotech entities, Sanofi is poised to make significant strides in treating complex diseases and enhancing patient outcomes.