Firm will start with in vitro and animal studies, with an option to select lead candidates.

Immune Design (IDC) entered into a research collaboration with Sanofi focused on allergy. Sanofi will evaluate IDC’s GLA (glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant) technology, a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) agonist.

“The application of next-generation TLR-4 agonists able to shape the immune response in allergic disease has enormous therapeutic potential,” states IDC CEO Carlos Paya, M.D., Ph.D. “Our initial collaboration has the strong possibility to lead to a broader development-focused partnership with Sanofi in the near future.”

Under terms of the agreement, IDC will provide access to the GLA technology, allowing Sanofi the ability to evaluate the biological and immunological properties of this TLR-4 agonist in vitro and in allergy disease models. Sanofi will be granted an option to select lead candidates for further development. 

The technology can be used to promote optimal activation of human dendritic cells, has demonstrated compatibility with many antigens, and has a well-established safety profile to date, according to IDC. GLA was shown to be safe and well-tolerated in a Phase I study in combination with Fluzone (a flu vaccine), according to IDC.

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