Sanofi secures TREM2 Alzheimer’s option via Vigil investment

Sanofi has secured an exclusive option on Vigil Neuroscience’s small-molecule TREM2 agonist program for Alzheimer's disease, following a $40-million investment in the biotech company. Vigil's CEO, Ivana Magovčević-Liebisch, expressed that Sanofi's investment validates their precision medicine approach.

Currently, Vigil's lead TREM2 agonist, VG-3927, is undergoing a Phase I clinical trial, with interim results anticipated by mid-2024. Erik Wallstroem, Sanofi’s global head of neurology development, emphasized the importance of microglial signaling and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, noting TREM2 as a significant target in this area.

As part of the equity investment, which was priced at $7.44 per share, Sanofi obtained exclusive rights for the first negotiation regarding a license or transfer of rights to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize Vigil’s small-molecule TREM2 agonist program, including VG-3927. Vigil announced on Thursday that the investment proceeds would support its research and development activities, extending its financial runway into 2026.

Besides the small-molecule TREM2 agonist program, Vigil's lead project is luzanebart, a fully-human monoclonal antibody agonist targeting TREM2. Luzanebart is in Phase II development for treating adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia.

Following the announcement of Sanofi's investment, Vigil's shares surged by more than 30%.