Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY) and Innate Pharma SA (NASDAQ: IPHA) announce the extension of their partnership, with Sanofi licensing an NK cell engager product from Innate’s ANKETTM (Antibody-based NK Cell Engager Therapeutics) technology that targets B7H3. Additionally, Sanofi will have the choice to add up to two more ANKETTM targets. Sanofi will be in charge of all development, production, and commercialization following candidate selection.
Innate and Sanofi inked a first NK cell engager’s partnership agreement in 2016 for the creation and assessment of up to two bispecific NK cell engagers, one of which is now in clinical trials. These compounds are presently being assessed by Sanofi’s R&D team.
Global Head of Oncology Research at Sanofi, Valeria Fantin, Ph.D. said;
“As a critical component of our oncology strategy at Sanofi, we are investigating the potential of NK cells for cancer immunotherapy. Our partnership with Innate supports our goal of building a diverse portfolio of next-generation NK cell engagers that is highly synergistic with Sanofi’s allogeneic NK cell platform, engineered lymphokines that stimulate NK cells, and expanding immuno-oncology pipeline. It also aligns with our commitment to work with promising French companies. We are pleased to work together to help the French healthcare ecosystem as a top global firm with French origins.”
The Executive Vice President, Product portfolio strategy & Business development at Innate Pharma, Yannis Morel said that they are pleased to enhance and extend their cooperation with Sanofi on NK Cell Engagers with the addition of up to three new initiatives, including in solid tumors, based on the success of their current relationship on hematologic targets. The importance of Innate’s ANKETTM technology and its potential to treat many tumor types are further validated by Sanofi’s investment in the company. NK Cell Engagers are a flexible technology that, by integrating different tumor antigen binders, may offer patients new alternatives and deliver therapeutic benefit across a number of malignancies while still keeping a favorable safety profile. This partnership also underlines Innate’s plan to create a large portfolio of ANKET initiatives that focus on various cancer kinds.
Innate will receive a €25 million upfront payment, up to €1.35 billion in preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, plus royalties on prospective net sales, under the terms of the new licensing deal. The HSR must approve the deal before it can be closed.