Tag: Sanofi

Company News: Lead Pharma to Partner with Sanofi on Development of Treatments for Autoimmune Diseases

– R&D collaboration and license agreement may yield potential first-in-class oral anti-ROR gamma (t) therapies

Lead Pharma, a pharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer, today announced that it has entered into a research collaboration and license agreement with Sanofi to discover, develop and commercialize small molecule therapies directed against the nuclear hormone receptor ROR gamma (t) to treat a broad range of autoimmune disorders, including common diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Researchers have identified 80 to 100 different autoimmune disorders and suspect at least an additional 40 diseases of being driven by immune function. These diseases are chronic and can be life-threatening.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lead Pharma will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive research, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Further details of the financial terms have not been disclosed. Sanofi is responsible for clinical development and will have worldwide marketing and commercialization rights to any products that may be developed as a result of the collaboration. Lead Pharma is entitled to receive royalty payments on global sales from any such products.

Company News: Nanohale AG acquires R&D and service units of Scil Technology GmbH

– Transaction creates new Nanohale subsidiary named Formycon GmbH –

Scil Technology GmbH and Nanohale AG today announced that Nanohale has acquired the entire R&D, contract development and manufacturing organization of Scil Technology GmbH in an asset deal, effective December 31, 2011. Employees and inventory of Scil Technology GmbH have become part of Formycon GmbH, a fully-owned subsidiary of Nanohale AG. The rights to the tissue regeneration projects, which were out-licensed by Scil Technology to Medtronic, Inc. and Sanofi, will remain with Scil Technology GmbH, which will be sustained as an independent company to manage its existing collaborations. Financial details have not been disclosed.

Scil Technology recently out-licensed its cartilage regeneration program for the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteochondral defects to Sanofi. The company has strong expertise in protein drug development, formulation and analytics, which is highly complementary to Nanohale´s existing protein formulation platform and will enable Nanohale to strengthen its biopharmaceutical development expertise.

Christian Nafe, CEO of Scil Technology, who was responsible for the transaction together with Klaus Binder (COO), said that the agreement creates an excellent exit opportunity for Scil Technology´s investors at BioNet Holding.

Company News: Sanofi Licenses Worldwide Rights on Regenerative Treatment for Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Disorders from Scil Technology

Scil Technology GmbH, a privately held biopharmaceutical company with core expertise in protein drug development, formulation and analytics, today announced that Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) has exclusively licensed Scil Technology’s program for the regenerative treatment of osteoarthritis and cartilage disorders.

Under the agreement, SCIL Technology will receive an upfront payment and potential milestone payments totaling up to EUR 180 million. Moreover, the company is entitled to receive undisclosed royalties on worldwide product sales. Sanofi will assume responsibility for the progression of the development program with immediate effect, including the start of clinical trials.

The program is based on targets for the regeneration of cartilage tissue, which also stimulate chondrocyte differentiation and the synthesis of cartilage matrix. The leading compound is based on a proprietary formulation for direct delivery into the joint, making it an excellent treatment option for osteoarthritis. The program is currently in advanced preclinical development.

The cartilage regenerative program is Scil Technology’s second program which has been out-licensed successfully. The first (GDF-5) was taken over by Medtronic after completion of Phase II.