Sanofi is significantly expanding its involvement in cancer treatment through a substantial equity investment of €300 million into a new venture that focuses on pioneering radioligand therapies. This new initiative will carry on under the branding of Orano Med, a subsidiary affiliated with Orano Group with whom Sanofi has previously collaborated. Notably, Sanofi had licensed the rights to AlphaMedix, a treatment under development by Orano Med and RadioMedix for neuroendocrine tumors, prior to this investment.
The sizable investment of around $324.8 million acquires approximately a 16% ownership stake in the newly established entity, which has been valued at roughly €1.9 billion (about $2 billion). Sanofi’s strategy includes concentrating on the research, design, and clinical trials of advanced radioligand therapies, which involve radioisotopes linked to targeting molecules directed to specific cancer cells. These therapies are designed to minimize exposure of healthy cells to harmful radiation while targeting the malignant ones, improving treatment efficacy and patient safety. Sanofi disclosed that the treatments being developed would utilize various targeting agents to deliver the radioactive element lead-212 (212Pb) to diseased cells.
Orano Group, headquartered in Paris and maintaining a U.S. administrative base in Bethesda, Maryland, excels in providing an array of products and services for the nuclear industry. In 2023, the group accumulated revenue of approximately $5.2 billion, mainly from backend operations like the recycling of spent nuclear fuel, crafting storage solutions for nuclear materials, and decommissioning nuclear facilities.
Orano Med specializes in nuclear medicine, leveraging 212Pb, an alpha-emitting radioactive isotope to develop novel therapeutic solutions. The company has devised a unique technique to extract and refine 212Pb from mining residues. Besides their existing production plants in the U.S. and Europe, they partner on R&D with various organizations, including Roche, Molecular Partners, and Crescendo Biologics, perfecting its use in clinical contexts and potential future market releases.
A focal point of Orano Med’s product pipeline is AlphaMedix, targeting somatostatin receptors prevalent in neuroendocrine tumors, primarily located in the gastrointestinal system. These rare cancers typically respond to chemotherapy regimes. However, AlphaMedix, which is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials and in talks with the FDA for possible regulatory submission, signifies a potentially more targeted treatment method. Upon successful development and regulatory milestones, Sanofi could end up investing an additional €220 million (about $242 million) in AlphaMedix as per their licensing agreement announced in September.
While specific targets for the new Orano Med entity remain undisclosed, Sanofi has identified a strategic focus on challenging cancers, including hematological malignancies and solid tumors that are notoriously tough to treat or have inadequate existing therapies. This includes rare forms of cancer like multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia, and specific lymphomas, among others including gastrointestinal and lung cancers. Sanofi’s strategic initiatives are aimed at leveraging Orano Med’s innovative lead-212-based technologies to fulfill unmet treatment needs across these difficult cancer spectrums.
Houman Ashrafian, Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development at Sanofi, encapsulates the company’s vision, expressing optimism in the groundbreaking lead-212 technologies being developed. This aligns with Sanofi’s broader commitment to advancing transformative therapies aimed at addressing critical areas of unmet medical needs, illustrating the potential impact of this investment on cancer treatment paradigms in the years to come.
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