Global pharmaceutical company Sanofi is partnering with Healx, a U.K.-based clinical-stage biotech specializing in rare diseases, to use its artificial intelligence to identify novel rare disease indications for a discontinued drug asset.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi will provide data related to the unnamed drug compound, which is being considered for out-licensing, and Healx will use Healnet, its AI-driven drug discovery platform, to identify diseases that the compound could potentially treat. The company will also provide Sanofi’s scientists with an AI-based therapeutic rationale to support the compound’s future development.
The Sanofi partnership fits squarely in Healx’s wheelhouse. The company has created a suite of technologies designed to find connections between biological and chemical entities that could lead to new treatments specifically for rare diseases. According to Tim Guilliams, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Healx, “This collaboration is a testament to the strength of our platform in potentially identifying new rare disease indications, and we are delighted to partner with Sanofi to unlock the power of our unique AI toolset in the service of patients in need.”
Michael Palladinetti, global head of business development at Sanofi, noted that the collaboration “reflects our commitment to innovative approaches that can accelerate the discovery of potential transformative therapies, addressing unmet needs and offering hope to patients with limited treatment options.”
Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
In addition to its pharma partnership, Healx is also working on its own pipeline of medicines.
This past August, the company raised $47 million in a Series C round that was co-led by R42 Group and Atomico, with participation from new and existing investors including Balderton, Jonathan Milner, Global Brain, btov, Ayana Capital, o2h, and VU Venture Partners. The company said at the time that it planned to use the proceeds to advance candidates for rare cancers as well as renal and neurodevelopmental disorders.
This includes its lead candidate, HLX-1502, which is intended for treating neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a rare disorder associated with a predisposition to developing benign and malignant tumors. The company has received clearance from the FDA to move forward with a Phase II clinical trial of the drug focused on treating adults with NF1 and inoperable plexiform neurofibroma.
