Sanofi licences novel oral anti-diabetic treatment
pharmafile | June 25, 2010 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Metabolex, Sanofi-Aventis, diabetes
Sanofi-Aventis has signed an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with US-based diabetes specialist Metabolex for a novel oral anti-diabetic treatment.
MBX-2982 is a GPR119 receptor agonist for the treatment of type II diabetes that could offer improved glucose control over the existing oral diabetes therapies, with an additional potentially beneficial effect on weight.
GPR119 receptor agonists (or G-protein coupled receptor 119) are found to exert the effects on glucose metabolism by a dual mode of action affecting both insulin and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) release.
“The new mechanism of action of MBX-2982 is very promising and we are excited to have identified Metabolex as our partner in this very competitive field”, said Pierre Chancel, senior VP of global diabetes at Sanofi-Aventis.
“With the growing epidemic of type II diabetes, more effective and well tolerated oral treatment options continue to be a cornerstone of innovative treatment schemes. In this sense, this agreement is another important step for Sanofi-Aventis towards our ambition to provide integrated solutions for diabetic patients.”
The current standard care in oral anti-diabetics is metformin and sulphonylurea but they do not use the dual mode of action trialed in MBX-2982 and can cause high levels of nausea for patients.
Under the terms of the agreement, Metabolex will receive an upfront payment and will be eligible to receive development, regulatory, and specified commercial milestone payments that could total $375 million. Metabolex will also receive royalties on the worldwide product sales.
In return, Sanofi-Aventis will receive an exclusive worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialise MBX-2982, currently in phase IIa trials, and related compounds.
This new agreement comes two months after the Paris-based firm signed a deal with a US biotech company to develop a new treatment which could restore patients’ ability to produce insulin.
Chief executive Chris Viehbacher announced in February that diabetes care will become a consistent element of Sanofi’s future plans and he wants the company to overtake diabetes specialist Novo Nordisk in market share.
Speaking to Bloomberg this week Sanofi’s Chancel said his division aims to double its diabetes sales between 2008 and 2013. He added that Sanofi “will continue with acquisitions and partnerships” to make its diabetes pipeline more competitive, and there probably will be more deals “before the end of the year”.
Ben Adams
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