Sanofi to Wind Down Kiadis Pharma, Halting NK Cell Therapy Development for AML

Recently, according to foreign media reports, French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi will close its formerAcquired for $3.57 billionNKCell TherapyCompany Kiadis, which is approximately three and a half years after its acquisition of the company in 2020. This decision was initially quietly announced on April 8 through an update on the clinical trial progress of SAR445419, an NK cell therapy drug for the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The clinical trial was a Phase I study, and according to updates from the U.S. Clinical Trials Database, it was terminated due to "the divestment of Kiadis."

However, Sanofi told the media Endpoints News that it has not actually divested this company. In an email sent yesterday afternoon, a Sanofi spokesperson wrote: "Although we have made every effort to promote potential divestitures, including sales, we are now proposing to close down Kiadis' original business." The spokesperson added that this proposal was made after careful consideration of various factors, including market conditions and strategic priorities. Sanofi is discussing the possible impact of this decision on employees, partners, and the community, and expressed deep respect for the talent and scientific expertise of the Kiadis team, committing to offer assistance during the transition period.

The closure of Kiadis marks the end of operations for the biotechnology company that started in 1997 and was headquartered in Amsterdam. In 2019, Kiadis discontinued its T-cell therapy in Phase III clinical trials and pivoted to NK cell technology following the acquisition of CytoSen Therapeutics earlier that year. Sanofi reached an agreement with Kiadis in 2020 and subsequently acquired the company to gain access to its NK cell therapies for different types of AML in Phase II and Phase I clinical trials, while also exploring the potential of NK cell therapy as a tool against the COVID-19 pandemic, including its use as a "post-exposure prophylactic treatment for high-risk patients."

At the time, Kiadis CEO Arthur Lahr stated in the November 2020 transaction announcement: "The Kiadis board unanimously believes that Sanofi has the resources and financial strength to accelerate the development of our NK cell products for the benefit of patients." Sanofi completed the transaction in April 2021.

Kiadis Shuts Down as Sanofi Restructures R&D Pipeline and Begins Divesting Consumer Healthcare Unit