Sanofi inked a research collaboration with Oncodesign to evaluate use of the latter’s Nanocyclix® technology for a number of its kinase target programs. Nanocyclix is a medicinal chemistry platform based on macrocyclization, which allows the design of selective kinase inhibitors that target the ATP binding site of kinase. Oncodesign says this capability means highly specific inhibitors can be developed against individual kinases, which don’t cross-react with highly homologous targets.
Under terms of the four-year deal with Sanofi, Oncodesign receive a technology access fee and discovery, development, regulatory, and commercial milestones that could reach up to €130 million (approximately $167.6 million), plus potential future sales royalties. “This new agreement illustrates the leading position of Oncodesign in the kinase inhibitor field,” states Jan Hoflack, Ph.D., Oncodesign CSO. “Our Nanocyclix technology is now clearly established as a high-value, differentiating approach that gives access to next-generation kinase inhibitors in multiple therapeutic indications.”
France-based Oncodesign specializes in the discovery and preclinical assessment of anticancer therapies, and is leveraging its Chi-Mice® chimeric mouse models, PharImage® imaging, and Predict® pharmacology platforms to offer products and services for anticancer drug and biomarker development. The firm is also undertaking in-house research programs in collaboration with partners, headed by its IMAkinib® program for the discovery of PET radiotracers for use in the identification of oncology targets and pathways, and monitoring changes during anticancer therapy.