Sanofi has announced that it will be expanding its respiratory vaccines pipeline by acquiring UK-based Vicebio for up to $1.6bn.
The deal will give the French group access to an early-stage combination vaccine candidate for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV), two leading causes of lower respiratory tract infections.
The acquisition will also include a preclinical trivalent vaccine candidate targeting RSV, hMPV and parainfluenza virus Type 3 (PIV3), as well as Vicebio’s ‘Molecular Clamp’ technology, which is designed to stabilise viral proteins in their native shape and allow the immune system to recognise and respond to them more effectively.
The Molecular Clamp approach accelerates the development of fully liquid combination vaccines that can be stored at standard refrigeration temperatures and made available in prefilled syringes, simplifying the manufacturing and distribution process while enhancing ease of use.
Jean-François Toussaint, global head of research and development vaccines at Sanofi, said: “Vicebio’s Molecular Clamp technology introduces a purposefully simple but thoughtful approach to further improve vaccine designs at a time when respiratory viral infections continue to impact millions globally.
“This acquisition furthers Sanofi’s dedication to vaccine innovation with the potential to develop next-generation combination vaccines that could provide protection to older adults against multiple respiratory viruses with a single immunisation.”
The agreement, expected to close in the final quarter of this year, will see Sanofi acquire all of Vicebio’s share capital for $1.15bn upfront, with the deal also including potential milestone payments of up to $450m, based on development and regulatory achievements.
Vicebio’s chief executive officer, Emmanuel Hanon, said: “As part of the Sanofi team, we look forward to advancing our platform and pipeline to deliver meaningful benefits for patients and public health.”
The acquisition is not Sanofi’s first of the year. Last month, the company announced that it would be bolstering its immunology capabilities by acquiring US-based Blueprint Medicines Corporation in a deal worth up to approximately $9.5bn.
It also revealed in May that it was planning to acquire Vigil Neuroscience and its investigational Alzheimer’s disease drug for approximately $470m, and announced in March that it would be broadening its immunology pipeline by acquiring Dren Bio’s phase 1 CD20-directed bispecific myeloid cell engager for $600m upfront.