Sanofi Bets Big On mRNA Vaccines With Expanded Translate Pact

New Deal Could Be Worth Over $2.3bn

Sanofi and Translate Bio, which hope to advance their mRNA vaccine candidate into a first-in-human clinical trial in the fourth quarter of 2020, have significantly extended their collaboration in that field, with the French giant plonking down a whopping $425m upfront fee.

Money
Sanofi backs messenger RNA with bags of cash • Source: Shutterstock

Ahead of its closely watched R&D day, Sanofi has again expanded a pact with one of its key COVID-19 collaborators Translate Bio Inc. to develop messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines across all infectious disease areas, making a hefty upfront payment to close the deal.

The two companies have been partners since 2018 when they signed a deal to develop mRNA vaccines for up to...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Anti-infective

HHS mRNA Vaccine Wind-Down Has Limited Impact (And One Contract Isn’t Even mRNA)

 

The news will have a big impact on pandemic preparedness but less immediate financial impact. Tiba Biotech was even “caught off guard” by its inclusion in the department’s culling of mRNA vaccine projects under BARDA, as its project was neither a vaccine nor mRNA-based.

Gilead’s Yeytuo, Lilly’s Kisunla Headline CHMP Positive Opinions

 

Yeytuo will have remaining challenges to PrEP to overcome, while Kisunla’s label reflects dosing titration data from a Phase IIIb study to mitigate ARIA-E.

Memo Therapeutics Plans BK Virus Therapy Phase III Despite Trial Miss

 
• By 

Pointing to data that show a benefit in reducing viral load and the histological signs of the infection, Memo says its drug, potravitug, could become the first therapy to treat BK polyomavirus in kidney transplant recipients.

Moderna’s Spikevax Wins Pediatric Approval, But With Narrower Label

 

The approval for young children, consistent with the FDA’s new COVID-19 vaccine policy, restricts Spikevax to those with conditions putting them at higher risk.

More from Therapy Areas

Xenon Nears Phase III Readout For Potential Epilepsy And Depression Blockbuster

 

Leading a field of rival potassium channel modulators, azetukalner will have a pivotal epilepsy readout early next year, with Phase III trials in depression and biopolar disorder also underway.

In Brief: Bayer Commits Up To $1.3bn For Kumquat’s KRAS G12D Inhibitor

 

Deal Snapshot: Bayer will take over development of the asset once Kumquat completes a Phase Ia clinical trial, but the biotech firm may opt in to share US profits and losses.

Pfizer/Astellas’s Padcev Scores First Big Win In Bladder Cancer Study

 

The drug, combined with Merck’s Keytruda, was successful among certain chemotherapy-ineligible MIBC patients, with another Phase III readout expected by March 2026.