Sanofi, Warp Drive Bio expand cancer drug research collaboration

French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi has been supporting the US-based Warp Drive since its creation in 2012.

The companies will now collaborate on the discovery and development of novel oncology therapeutics and antibiotics using Warp Drive’s Small Molecule Assisted Receptor Targeting and Genome Mining platforms.

Under the deal, Warp Drive will lead the research collaboration for five years and Sanofi will have global exclusive licenses to develop and commercialize the candidates.

Warp Drive is eligible to receive more than $750m across four programs, including an equity investment by Sanofi, several milestones, and research and development services.

The initial focus will be on three defined oncology programs targeting seevral mutants and states of the RAS oncogenic protein.

Warp Drive has the option to lead development of the therapeutic candidates from post IND filing up to phase 2 clinical trials, with Sanofi responsible for the filing of new drug applications.

Sanofi will lead worldwide commercial activities on products and Warp Drive has the option to co-commercialize oncology therapeutics in the US.

Sanofi will manage all ex-US commercial activities, with Warp Drive eligible to receive commercial milestones and tiered royalties on product sales.

The antibiotic collaboration will focus on the discovery and development of novel Gram-negative therapeutics.

Sanofi global R&D president Elias Zerhouni said: "This is an exciting collaboration for Sanofi as it could yield potentially lifesaving oncology and antibiotic therapies for patients by utilizing cutting-edge technology platforms."