Sanofi, Regulus Enter microRNA Alliance

Sanofi-Aventis and Regulus, Inc. have entered into a global strategic alliance to discover, develop, and commercialize microRNA therapeutics. The alliance will initially focus on fibrosis treatments. MicroRNAs (micro-RiboNucleic Acid) are a new class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by interfering with the stability of target messenger RNA transcripts.

The two companies will collaborate on microRNA drug discovery and preclinical development for as many as four microRNA targets, including the lead fibrosis program targeting microRNA-21. Sanofi has an option, which if exercised, provides access to the technology to develop and commercialize other micro-RNA based therapeutics, beyond the first four targets.

Regulus will receive a $25 million upfront payment and a $10 million equity investment. In total, Regulus is eligible to receive more than $750 million for upfront payments, research funding, and milestone payments for multiple products.

“This new partnership continues to illustrate Sanofi-Aventis’ commitment to develop innovative therapies,” said Marc Cluzel, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president, R&D, Sanofi-Aventis. “MicroRNAs are believed to be extremely important in human development and physiology. Together with Regulus we will develop therapeutics which could potentially open a new paradigm in the treatment of major diseases and could offer an attractive new therapeutic approach for patients.”