Sanofi and Orano Med have initiated a partnership to develop next-generation radioligand medicines.
Orano Med will bring its radioligand pipeline to the mix, while Sanofi will provide the resources and funding to make this project a success.
The partnership will primarily focus on the discovery, design and clinical development of radioligand therapies (RLTs) based on lead-212 alpha-emitting isotopes.
This furthers Sanofi's investment into the radioligand therapeutic space — with a specific focus on rare cancers.
The agreement between the two was initiated off the back of Sanofi's initiative to reshape its pipeline, and will significantly strenghthen the pharma giant's immuno oncology pipeline.
What is alpha therapy?
Alpha therapy is where biological vectors and short-range and cell-killing, alpha-emitting radioisotopes are combined to target cancer cells with specific markers.
This mechanism of action aims to damage or destroy cancer cells only, limiting the impact of treatment on nearby healthy cells.
The radioligand therapy aims to change the standard of care in some rare cancers, improving their quality of life.
Sanofi's CEO, Paul Hudson, commented: “Partnering with Orano will unite our respective expertise in biopharma and nuclear technology to drive groundbreaking progress in the fight against cancer,"
"As a French biopharmaceutical company, we are deeply committed to fostering and enabling innovation in our home country. This collaboration is part of a broader effort to strengthen our ties within the scientific community, both in France and globally, with the goal of advancing the development of cutting-edge treatments for patients.”
CEO of Orano Group, Nicolas Maes, added: “The success of Orano Med is an example of our group's ability to diversify beyond our core nuclear business. By applying our expertise in nuclear materials to fields like targeted alpha therapies, we are demonstrating that nuclear technology can have a positive societal impact, not just for energy and climate, but also for human health."
"This innovation reflects Orano's commitment to exploring new opportunities and taking bold steps to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”