Sanofi to Acquire Principia Biopharma for $3.68 Billion

On August 17, 2020, Sanofi announced it is acquiring Principia Biopharma, a late-stage biopharmaceutical company located in San Francisco, CA, for approximately $3.68 billion.

The acquisition will give Sanofi access to Principia’s Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors to add to its portfolio of next-generation transformative treatments for autoimmune diseases, a Sanofi press release said. The BTKs include BTK inhibitor ‘168, currently in a Phase IIb study in patients with multiple sclerosis; rilzabrutinib, an oral BTK inhibitor currently in a Phase III program for patients with moderate to severe pemphigus; and PRN473 topical, a topical agent currently in Phase I trials for immune-mediated diseases.

“This acquisition advances our ongoing R&D transformation to accelerate development of the most promising medicines that will address significant patient needs,” said Paul Hudson, Sanofi CEO, in the press release. “The addition of multiple BTK inhibitors to our pipeline demonstrates our commitment to strategic product acquisitions in our priority therapeutic areas. Full ownership of our brain-penetrant BTK inhibitor ‘168 removes complexities for this priority development program and simplifies future commercialization.”

“Principia’s successful design and development of a whole portfolio of BTK inhibitors for immunology is aimed to transform the treatment for patients with immune-mediated diseases,” added Martin Babler, president and CEO at Principia Biopharma, in the press release. “By combining with Sanofi, we will bring significant resources to expand and accelerate the potential benefits of these therapies. The benefit of developing several BTK inhibitors will allow us to target specific organ systems for optimal patient benefit. The merger will provide global resources to get these novel therapies to patients faster.”

Source: Sanofi