Sanofi Returns Promising Cancer Drug to Biond Biologics Amid R&D Restructuring

Sanofi, the French pharmaceutical giant, has announced the return of a potentially groundbreaking cancer immunotherapy to its original developer, Biond Biologics. This move comes as part of Sanofi's ongoing efforts to streamline its research and development pipeline, focusing on programs that align more closely with the company's strategic priorities.

A $125 Million Bet Relinquished

In 2021, Sanofi made a significant investment in Biond Biologics' novel immune checkpoint inhibitor, BND-22, paying $125 million upfront for global rights to the drug. The deal included potential milestone payments exceeding $1 billion, highlighting the high hopes Sanofi had for this innovative approach to cancer treatment.

BND-22, an anti-ILT2 monoclonal antibody, showed promise in early trials for its ability to engage both the innate and adaptive immune systems against tumors. A phase 1 dose-escalation study demonstrated that the therapy was well-tolerated and produced "several confirmed clinical responses" in heavily pre-treated patients when used as a monotherapy and in combination with other cancer drugs like Keytruda and Erbitux.

Clinical Progress and Future Plans

Following the encouraging phase 1 results, Sanofi initiated a phase 2 dose-optimization and expansion study. This trial focused on BND-22 as a standalone treatment for cholangiocarcinoma, a rare bile duct cancer, and in combination with Erbitux for non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer.

Despite Sanofi's decision to return the rights, Biond Biologics remains committed to the drug's development. CEO and co-founder Tehila Ben Moshe, Ph.D., stated that the company plans to "continue treating patients who are benefiting from BND-22 treatment" in the ongoing trial. Additionally, Biond intends to launch a phase 2 biomarker study exploring BND-22 in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy.

Broader Implications for Sanofi's Pipeline

This move is not isolated but part of a larger trend in Sanofi's R&D strategy. The company has recently dropped several other programs, including assets acquired through multibillion-dollar acquisitions of Ablynx, Principia Biopharma, and Synthorx. Notable cuts include an IL-2 candidate from the $2.5 billion Synthorx deal and two early-stage assets based on technology from the $4.1 billion Ablynx purchase.

As pharmaceutical companies continue to refine their focus and allocate resources to the most promising areas of research, such pipeline reassessments are becoming increasingly common in the industry. For Biond Biologics, the return of BND-22 presents both a challenge and an opportunity as they seek to advance this potentially valuable asset, either independently or through new strategic partnerships.