Sanofi has entered into a strategic collaboration with Blackstone to advance the subcutaneous formulation and delivery of its multiple myeloma (MM) drug Sarclisa (isatuximab).
Under the terms of the collaboration, funds managed by Blackstone Life Sciences (BXLS) will provide up to €300m to support the drug’s global clinical development programme.
BXLS is eligible to receive royalties on future subcutaneous sales of Sarclisa, if successful.
The collaboration is expected to commence the clinical trial of the Sarclisa subcutaneous formulation in the second half of this year.
Blackstone Life Sciences is a private investment platform that invests across the life cycle of companies and products within the key life science sectors.
Blackstone Life Sciences global head Nicholas Galakatos said: “We are excited to collaborate with Sanofi’s experienced development team to advance a subcutaneous dosage form for Sarclisa for patients.
“Our investment demonstrates Blackstone’s commitment and ability to provide innovative sources of financing to the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies as we offer capital at scale and complementary expertise to help advance important medicines in critical therapeutic areas.”
Sarclisa is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD38 protein, which is highly and uniformly expressed on the surface of MM cells.
The drug works through multiple mechanisms of action, including programmed tumour cell death (apoptosis) and immunomodulatory activity.
It has been approved in various countries, in combination with other therapies, for treating relapsed refractory MM (RRMM), based on Phase 3 ICARIA-MM, and IKEMA studies.
Sarclisa is currently being evaluated in various ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials, across the MM treatment continuum of care for other hematologic malignancies and solid tumours.
Sanofi has partnered with drug delivery technology company Enable Injections, to advance the development of a subcutaneous formulation delivery for Sarclisa.
The company claims that it has significant expertise in oncology and has increased research and development capabilities for difficult to treat cancers, including breast, blood, and lung.
Sanofi R&D global head John Reed said: “The collaboration with Blackstone will accelerate our ability to offer patients a subcutaneous anti-CD38 antibody therapy that we believe will be innovative and more convenient.
“We are committed to building an industry-leading, sustainable pipeline with a steady stream of new therapies that have the potential to transform the practice of medicine.”
