Sanofi invests heavily in multiple myeloma pipeline

The Paris-based Big Pharma has signed a license agreement with Californian biotech Eureka Therapeutics and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, granting Sanofi the exclusive rights to the non-CAR use of a novel, human binding domain targeting GPRC5D (G Protein-Coupled Receptor Family C Group 5 Member D). The GPRC5D binding domain was discovered using Eureka’s antibody discovery platform and developed in collaboration with MSK. It shows promise for the treatment of multiple myelmon, the second most common hematologic cancer affecting around 130,000 people.

For the license, Sanofi is putting an upfront payment as well as more than US$1bn (approximately €850m) of potential development, regulatory and sales milestone payments on the table. Eureka and MSK are also eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales.

“We are delighted to contribute technology for the development of next generation therapies against multiple myeloma” said Cheng Liu, President and CEO of Eureka Therapeutics. “Targeting GPRC5D has the potential to improve the durability of response from current therapies and to improve the long-term clinical benefits for patients.”