Sanofi has completed its $3.2-billion acquisition of Translate Bio, a clinical-stage messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines company.

Translate Bio has an early-stage pipeline in cystic fibrosis and other rare pulmonary diseases. Its lead pulmonary candidate is being evaluated as an inhaled treatment for cystic fibrosis in a Phase I/II trial. Additional pulmonary diseases are being evaluated in discovery-stage research programs that use a proprietary lung delivery platform. Its technology may also apply broadly to a wide range of diseases, including diseases that affect the liver. Additionally, the platform may be applied to various classes of treatments, such as therapeutic antibodies or vaccines.

Following an acceptance of the tendered shares, Sanofi completed its acquisition of Translate Bio through the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi with and into Translate Bio, which continues as the surviving corporation and becoming an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi.

Sanofi’s acquisition of Translate Bio follows recent collaborations between the companies. In June 2018, Sanofi and Translate Bio entered into a collaboration and exclusive license agreement to develop mRNA vaccines, which was further expanded in 2020 to address current and future infectious diseases. There are two ongoing mRNA vaccine clinical trials under the collaboration: (1) a Phase I/II study of a COVID-19 vaccine, with results expected in the third quarter of 2021 and (2) a Phase I trial of a mRNA seasonal influenza vaccine, with results due in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Sanofi’s acquisition of Translate Bio is another recent acquisition by Sanofi to build its research mRNA capabilities. In April (April 2021), Sanofi acquired Tidal Therapeutics, a preclinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company with a mRNA-based approach for in vivo reprogramming of immune cells, in a $470-million deal ($160 million upfront and up to $310 million in milestones).

These deals also build on Sanofi’s establishment of a dedicated vaccines mRNA Center of Excellence in June (June 2021).

Source: Sanofi