Deals In Depth: March 2022

Four $1bn+ alliances were penned in March. Topping the list was a potential $6bn+ deal between Sanofi and IGM Biosciences involving IgM antibody agonists against three oncology targets and three immunology/inflammation targets. The partners aim to use IGM’s IgM antibody technology to develop therapeutics that combine the multi-valency of IgM antibodies possessing 10 binding sites compared to conventional IgG antibodies having only two target binding sites. For each oncology program, IGM will lead R&D activities (and assume related costs) through approval of the first BLA by the FDA or EMA. After that, Sanofi will lead all subsequent development and commercialization activities and gets exclusive global rights. For each immunology/inflammation program, IGM will lead R&D activities through the completion of the Phase I clinical trial for up to two constructs directed to each immunology/inflammation target, after which Sanofi will be responsible for all future development and commercialization.