Sanofi and Regeneron have expanded their immunology partnership to develop and commercialize four experimental long-acting antibodies. Sanofi will pay Regeneron $1 billion upfront, with Regeneron eligible for up to $7 billion more in development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments.
The agreement adds antibodies targeting interleukin-13, interleukin-4, the interleukin-4 receptor alpha, and a bispecific antibody targeting both interleukin-4 and interleukin-13. Regeneron invented the four candidates. Its IL-13 antibody, REGN20423, is in a Phase 1 study for atopic dermatitis; the other three are expected to enter clinical studies in 2027.
The companies will split development and commercialization costs and any future profits from the four programs equally. Regeneron will lead research and development, while Sanofi will lead global commercial activities. Regeneron also has an option to add Sanofi’s investigational bispecific therapy lunsekimig to the collaboration after its Phase 3 studies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are complete.
The expanded agreement builds on a partnership dating to 2003 that includes Dupixent, an approved medicine targeting the interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 pathways. Sanofi and Regeneron said their existing profit-sharing arrangement for Dupixent will remain unchanged. More than 1.5 million people are currently receiving the drug across nine indications, according to the companies.
Sanofi and Regeneron also said they have settled litigation related to their prior collaboration. The four newly added antibodies remain in early clinical development or preclinical research.
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