Sanofi Secures $395M Deal with Arrowhead for Promising Metabolic Treatment in China

Sanofi, the French pharmaceutical giant, has made a significant move in the Chinese market by acquiring the rights to Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals' rare metabolic disease treatment, plozasiran. The deal, valued at up to $395 million, marks another step in Sanofi's expansion strategy in China's burgeoning pharmaceutical sector.

Deal Structure and Financial Details

Sanofi has agreed to pay $130 million upfront to Visirna Therapeutics, Arrowhead's China-focused subsidiary, for the rights to plozasiran in the Greater China region. The agreement includes potential milestone payments of up to $265 million, contingent on regulatory approvals for familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) and other indications. Arrowhead stands to benefit from royalties on future sales in the region.

Plozasiran: A Promising RNAi Therapeutic

Plozasiran, an RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic, has shown impressive results in treating FCS, a rare metabolic disorder. The drug targets the production of apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3), a key regulator of triglyceride metabolism. By reducing APOC3 levels, plozasiran aims to lower triglycerides and normalize lipid levels in patients.

In a recent phase 3 trial, plozasiran demonstrated significant efficacy:

• 25-mg dose: 80% reduction in triglycerides at 10 months
• 50-mg dose: 78% reduction in triglycerides at 10 months

These results have positioned plozasiran as a strong contender in the treatment of FCS and potentially other metabolic disorders.

Regulatory Landscape and Market Competition

Visirna Therapeutics has already submitted an approval request for plozasiran to Chinese regulators, setting the stage for potential market entry. However, the global landscape for FCS treatments is competitive. In the United States, Ionis Pharmaceuticals gained FDA approval for Tryngolza, an antisense candidate for FCS, at the end of 2024. Notably, Ionis has not yet pursued approval in China, potentially giving Sanofi and Arrowhead an advantage in this market.

Christopher Anzalone, Ph.D., CEO of Arrowhead, expressed optimism about the deal: "We now look forward to working with Sanofi and believe they are extremely well-positioned as a global company with a strong presence in China."

Wayne Shi, president of Sanofi Greater China, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition, stating, "Plozasiran has shown considerable potential in studies across diverse patient populations where serious illness is caused by elevated triglycerides."

This deal aligns with Sanofi's broader strategy in China, following recent investments including the acquisition of rights to Cytokinetics' hypertrophic cardiomyopathy drug aficamten and the establishment of a $1 billion manufacturing site in the country.