Sanofi Expands Protein Degrader Portfolio with $15M Nurix Deal

Sanofi has further solidified its position in the protein degrader space, securing its second program from Nurix Therapeutics in recent months. The French pharmaceutical giant will pay $15 million upfront for the rights to NX-3911, a novel STAT6 degrader with potential applications in treating inflammatory allergic conditions.

Nurix's DEL-AI Platform Delivers Another Promising Candidate

NX-3911, developed using Nurix's proprietary DEL-AI platform, has demonstrated robust efficacy in preclinical models of atopic dermatitis and asthma. According to Nurix Chief Scientific Officer Gwenn Hansen, Ph.D., the compound achieves "rapid and complete STAT6 degradation" and shows anti-inflammatory efficacy comparable to a STAT6 gene knockout in animal models.

The deal structure includes potential milestone payments of up to $465 million, as well as future royalties. Notably, Nurix retains an option to co-develop and co-promote the drug in the United States, signaling the biotech's confidence in the program's potential.

Sanofi's Growing Investment in Protein Degradation Technology

This latest agreement builds upon a fruitful collaboration between Sanofi and Nurix that began in 2019 with an initial $55 million investment. The partnership has since expanded, with Sanofi making additional payments of $22 million in 2020 and another $15 million just two months ago for rights to a different undisclosed transcription factor target.

Arthur Sands, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of Nurix, highlighted the significance of this second license extension within a 90-day period, stating that it "underscores the power of our proprietary DEL-AI drug discovery platform to fuel the discovery of novel medicines to a range of therapeutically important targets like STAT6."

Strategic Importance of STAT6 in Inflammatory Diseases

STAT6, a key nodal transcription factor, plays a crucial role in mediating IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, which are implicated in type 2 inflammatory diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergies. Sanofi's interest in this target extends beyond its collaboration with Nurix; in 2023, the company also entered into a $125 million upfront deal with Recludix Pharma for a preclinical STAT6 inhibitor.

The pharmaceutical industry's growing focus on protein degradation technology reflects its potential to address previously undruggable targets. As Nurix continues to advance its internal pipeline, including the BTK degrader NX-5948 for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the company's partnerships with major players like Sanofi provide both validation and financial support for its innovative approach to drug discovery.