French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company Sanofi has announced a partnership with New York-based TrialSpark, which offers a technology model for drug development.
TrialSpark’s tools aim to more efficient test design, faster test completion and higher quality test data. It acquires clinical-stage drugs from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and develops them using its technology. The Company’s therapeutic areas include rheumatology, dermatology, CNS (neurology and psychiatry) and cardiometabolic diseases.
The partnership will focus on pursuing the acquisition or in-licensing and development of Phase II and Phase III clinical-stage drug candidates in areas of high and unmet patient need.
The collaboration between Sanofi and TrialSpark will target six transactions over three years. It aims to leverage Sanofi’s global commercial expertise and TrialSpark’s drug development technology capabilities to explore new clinical development models in areas such as behavioral intervention and digital technologies.
“We are delighted to initiate this new collaboration with TrialSpark, as another example of our commitment to innovation in the healthcare ecosystem,” said Alban de La Sablière, Head of Partnerships at Sanofi, in a statement. communicated. “This collaboration will not only identify attractive late-stage assets, but will also utilize innovative development plans that could bring meaningful results to patients in areas of mutual interest.”
THE GREAT TREND
About a year ago TrialSpark Landed $156M in Series C Funding, bringing the company’s total raise to $250 million. At that time, the company said it was looking to buy or partner with pharmaceutical companies with assets in the clinical trial stage.
Sanofi has set its sights on AI for drug discovery over the past year, announcing in January its deal worth more than $100 million with a tech company exscientia.
This agreement involves the creation of 15 new small molecule candidates in oncology and immunology. Exscientia’s AI platform will be used in a variety of ways, including targeting patient identification and selection.
Exscientia is eligible for up to $5.2 billion in payments for clinical development and regulatory and commercial milestones.
Plus, digital chronic disease management company DarioHealth signed a $30 million strategic partnership with Sanofi to accelerate the adoption of Dario’s tools in the US market.
Sanofi has announced numerous other collaborations over the past year, including its partnership with Health2Sync.