Oct 1 (Reuters) - Sanofi said on Thursday it would pay US partner Regeneron $1 billion upfront and up to $7 billion in milestone payments to bring four new antibodies under the partnership behind their blockbuster eczema drug Dupixent, which sent the French drugmaker's shares 2% higher in early trading.
Like Dupixent, used by more than 1.5 million patients across nine indications, these experimental antibodies target immune signals that drive inflammation in conditions such as eczema, but they are
designed to last longer in the body.
• Sanofi called the deal a first step in rebuilding its pipeline before Dupixent loses patent protection
• "While the assets are early-stage, the expansion should be viewed positively, as it signals the new CEO's proactive focus on the most important yet addressable uncertainties investors face," Jefferies wrote
• The companies have settled earlier litigation over the collaboration
• Regeneron to lead research and development, Sanofi to lead global sales under the expanded partnership
• They will split costs and profits of the expanded partnership equally; existing Dupixent profit-sharing terms unchanged
• Regeneron also has the option to join Sanofi's experimental drug lunsekimig once its late-stage trials for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are finished
(Reporting by Hugo Lhomedet and Matthieu Huchet in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
