Sanofi Acquires Emerging Markets License for Verastem's Oncology Drug Copiktra in $47 Million Deal

On July 25, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that biopharmaceutical company Verastem had entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Sanofi. Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi will develop and commercialize Verastem’s product Copiktra in Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, and certain parts of Africa.

Copiktra is an oral inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the first PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma dual inhibitor approved by the FDA.

Under the terms of the agreement, Verastem will receive a $5 million upfront payment. In addition to receiving double-digit percentage royalties on future net sales of Copiktra, Verastem will also receive an additional $42 million in milestone payments. Sanofi will obtain exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Copiktra, hold the marketing authorization and product licenses for Copiktra in the licensed territories, and has the right to collaborate with Verastem on certain drug development and clinical trial activities.

Headquartered in Paris, France, Sanofi is a healthcare company dedicated to developing innovative medical technologies. As a global leader in healthcare, the company’s core business spans three key areas: pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health. With a workforce of over 100,000 employees worldwide, Sanofi provides healthcare services in 170 countries. In 1982, Sanofi established an office in China, becoming one of the first multinational pharmaceutical companies to enter the Chinese market.

Verastem Oncology (VSTM), founded in 2010 and headquartered in Massachusetts, USA, is a biopharmaceutical company. The company is dedicated to the development and commercialization of oncology drugs to improve the lives of cancer patients. Verastem’s first FDA-approved product is indicated for the treatment of patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL).

Copiktra received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in September 2018 for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who have received at least two prior therapies. Additionally, Copiktra received another FDA approval for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL).

“Sanofi has world-class capabilities in product development and commercialization, making it the ideal partner for us to bring Copiktra to patients in Russia, Turkey, and other regions,” said Dan Paterson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Verastem Oncology. “Establishing a third partnership outside the United States validates the global potential of Copiktra and fulfills our commitment to bringing Copiktra to patients worldwide.”

David Khougazian, Head of Sanofi’s China Market, commented, “As a leader in the specialty care sector, we welcome partners with the potential to deliver value to patients and caregivers. This agreement brings an oncology drug with an innovative mechanism of action to our portfolio, offering significant hope to patients with hematologic malignancies who have unmet medical needs. Collaborating with Verastem Oncology to develop and commercialize Copiktra aligns with our goals of enhancing patient care services and expanding our oncology presence in emerging markets.”

(Compiled by Cheng Tao)