Sanofi and Recludix Enter STAT6 Inhibitor Partnership Worth More Than $1.3 Billion

Sanofi and Recludix Pharma, a pharma company specializing in inflammatory diseases and cancer, announced a strategic collaboration on July 20, 2023. The partnership focuses on developing and commercializing small-molecule signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) inhibitors for patients with immunological and inflammatory (I&I) diseases. Under the agreement, Sanofi will pay Recludix $125 million in near-term payments and $1.2 billion in additional payments contingent on various development, regulatory, and sales-based milestones.

According to a company press release, Recludix will advance various STAT6 inhibitors from preclinical research and development until the start of Phase II clinical trials, after which Sanofi will handle further development and commercialization of the candidate. Sanofi will retain global rights to any small-molecule STAT6 inhibitors produced from the partnership, although Recludixhas the opportunity to participate in profit/loss share and certain co-promotion opportunities in the United States. Recludix will also be eligible for double-digit royalties on future product sales.

“This collaboration for the advancement of a preclinical oral STAT6 inhibitor speaks to our ability to successfully solve the challenge of drugging this attractive, yet elusive, therapeutic target,” said Nancy Whiting, CEO, Recludix, in the press release. “We are proud of the breakthroughs we have made in drugging SH2 [Src homology 2] domains as demonstrated by the STAT6 program, and we are excited to partner with Sanofi … who shares our vision for advancing an oral STAT6 inhibitor forward quickly for the benefit of patients. This strategic collaboration empowers the program while ensuring meaningful development participation and economic value for Recludix.”

“Recludix’s approach to targeting STAT6 has significant potential for a number of I&I diseases, especially where a precisely tailored oral therapy could best fit within the patient’s needs at various stages of disease,” said Frank Nestle, global head, Research, and chief science officer, Sanofi, in the release. “We are excited to partner with the Recludix team to continue to advance innovative strategies for targeting this previously considered undruggable target, aligned with our mission to best serve patients with inflammatory disease.”

Source: Recludix Pharma