MedImmune and Sanofi Pasteur Strike Deal

On March 3, 2017, MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, and Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, announced an agreement to develop and commercialize MEDI8897 jointly. MEDI8897 is a monoclonal antibody (mAb) for the prevention of lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most prevalent cause of LRTI among infants and young children. MEDI8897 is currently in a Phase IIb clinical trial in pre-term infants who are ineligible for Synagis (palivizumab), the current standard of care medicine. The company’s development plan includes a proposed Phase III trial in healthy full-term and late pre-term infants.

Under the terms of the global agreement, Sanofi Pasteur will make an upfront payment of €120-million (approximately $126.8-million) and pay up to €495 million (approximately $523.3-million) upon achievement of certain development and sales-related milestones. The two companies will share all costs and profits equally. MedImmune and AstraZeneca will continue to lead all development activity through initial approvals, and AstraZeneca will retain MEDI8897 manufacturing activities. Sanofi-Pasteur will lead commercialization activities for MEDI8897.