Sanofi and IGM Biosciences Announce Collaboration Agreement

Sanofi and IGM Biosciences announced on March 29, 2022 the signing of an exclusive worldwide collaboration agreement focused on IgM antibody agonists against three oncology targets and three immunology/inflammation targets. IGM will receive $150 million upfront payments with the potential to reach more than $6 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones.

Engineered IgM antibodies are part of a new group of potential therapeutics because of the possession of 10 binding sites compared to traditional igG antibodies which have only two. The superior features of IgM antibodies will be used to stimulate cell surface receptors and allow the companies to leverage ownership of a new antibody technology platform.

According to a press release, the details of the collaboration are as follows: “For each immunology/inflammation target collaboration program, IGM will lead research and development activities, and assume related costs, through the completion of Phase I clinical trial for up to two constructs directed to each immunology/inflammation target, after which Sanofi will be responsible for all future development and related costs, in exchange for up to $1065 million in aggregate development and regulatory and commercial milestones per immunology/inflammation target. Following the completion of Phase I clinical trial for each immunology/inflammation target, Sanofi will be responsible for subsequent development activities, commercialization efforts, and related costs. IGM is eligible to receive tiered high single-digit to low-teen royalties on global net sales.”

“Sanofi is a global leader in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies, and we welcome the addition of their extensive expertise and resources in expanding and accelerating the development of our IgM antibody platform across multiple areas of high unmet need,” said Fred Schwarzer, CEO of IGM Biosciences, in the release. “This partnership builds on an existing research collaboration with Sanofi and is a key step towards our goal of unlocking the full breadth of potential for this important new class of therapeutics. We are pleased to share this vision with Sanofi and look forward to working together on these six potentially first- and best-in-class programs.”

Source: Sanofi