Sanofi and Orano Med have announced a new partnership aimed at accelerating the development of next-generation radioligand (RLTs) for rare cancers.
The agreement will see the companies invest in a new France-based entity, which will operate under the Orano Med brand and focus on the discovery, design and clinical development of RLTs based on lead-212 alpha-emitting isotopes.
Sanofi will make an equity investment of €300m, giving the company an equity stake of approximately 16% in the new venture.
The partners outlined that Sanofi’s investment will further strengthen the Orano Group subsidiary and allow the company to accelerate the development of its pipeline, “leveraging its capabilities in the discovery and development of lead-212 based therapies”.
Sanofi’s chief executive officer, Paul Hudson, said: “We are excited to partner with Orano in establishing a French pioneer that unites our respective expertise in biopharma and nuclear technology to drive groundbreaking progress in the fight against cancer.”
Combining the ability of biological vectors to target cancer cells with the cell-killing capabilities of alpha-emitting radioisotopes, targeted alpha therapies are designed to damage or destroy cancer cells while limiting impact on nearby healthy cells.
Nicolas Maes, chief executive officer of the Orano Group, said: “By applying our expertise in nuclear materials to fields like targeted alpha therapies, we are demonstrating that nuclear technology can have a positive societal impact, not just for energy and climate, but also for human health.”
The deal comes just one month after Sanofi, Orano Med and RadioMedix entered into an exclusive licensing agreement worth €320m, also to advance RLTs for rare cancers.
The September agreement centres around AlphaMedix, a targeted alpha therapy currently being evaluated in adult patients with unresectable or metastatic, progressive somatostatin-receptor expressing neuroendocrine tumours.
Sanofi will be responsible for the global commercialisation of the candidate, while Orano Med will handle the manufacturing. In exchange, RadioMedix and Orano Med will receive an upfront payment of €100m and will be eligible for up to €220m in sales milestones, as well as tiered royalties.
