Alnylam and Sanofi enter into strategic restructuring

Optimizing development and commercialization of RNAi therapeutics for rare diseases

09-Jan-2018 - France

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi announced a strategic restructuring of their RNAi therapeutics alliance to streamline and optimize development and commercialization of certain products for the treatment of rare genetic diseases. Specifically, Alnylam will obtain global development and commercialization rights to its investigational RNAi therapeutics programs for the treatment of ATTR amyloidosis, including patisiran and ALN-TTRsc02. Sanofi will receive royalties based on net sales of these ATTR amyloidosis products. Sanofi will obtain global development and commercialization rights to fitusiran, an investigational RNAi therapeutic, currently in development for the treatment of people with hemophilia A and B. Global commercialization of fitusiran, upon approval, will be done by Sanofi Genzyme, the specialty care global business unit of Sanofi. Alnylam will receive royalties based on net sales of fitusiran products. With respect to other products falling under the RNAi therapeutics alliance, the material terms of the 2014 Alnylam-Sanofi Genzyme alliance remain unchanged.

“This strategic restructuring enables streamlined development and an optimized approach to bringing innovative medicines to patients with ATTR amyloidosis and hemophilia around the world, maximizing the commercial opportunities for these programs,” said John Maraganore, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alnylam. “For Alnylam, this provides strategic clarity and operational alignment with regard to the development and commercialization of patisiran and ALN-TTRsc02. This will allow us to develop both products in a comprehensive manner, potentially addressing the full spectrum of transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis disease treatment and prevention. At the same time, we will continue to support and benefit – via royalties – from the fitusiran opportunity through Sanofi’s significant development and commercial leadership.”

This restructuring provides Alnylam with the opportunity to consolidate its ATTR amyloidosis business to maximize its value, and the opportunity for near-term acceleration of product revenue growth based on newly obtained rights to commercialize patisiran around the world, once approved. In addition, it enables Alnylam to build a global presence and commercial infrastructure that can be leveraged for ALN-TTRsc02 and additional programs – including givosiran, an investigational RNAi therapeutic for the treatment of acute hepatic porphyrias, and cemdisiran, an investigational RNAi therapeutic for the treatment of complement-mediated diseases – where Alnylam has retained global ownership.

“The restructured alliance reflects Sanofi Genzyme’s sustained interest in the strong potential of Alnylam’s portfolio of genetic medicines. The new structure simplifies operations, providing both parties the agility needed to make these medicines available to patients as quickly as possible once approved,” said Bill Sibold, Executive Vice President and Head of Sanofi Genzyme. “This restructuring will enable both parties to maximize the value of each asset and allows us to maintain shared economics across the alliance program.”

Fitusiran complements Sanofi Genzyme’s rare hematology portfolio, and creates a focus on bringing an innovative product to market globally, upon approval, for people living with hemophilia, one of the most common rare diseases.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/1152786/alnylam-and-sanofi-enter-into-strategic-restructuring.html