Sanofi has agreed to develop Principia Biopharma Inc.'s experimental oral treatment that shows promise in multiple sclerosis and, potentially, other central nervous system diseases.
The treatment, Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (PRN2246), is designed to access the brain and spinal cord by crossing the blood-brain barrier and impact immune cell and brain cell signaling.
Under the deal, Sanofi will pay a $40 million upfront payment, along with future milestone payments that could total $765 million and royalties on product sales. In return, Principia is granting Sanofi an exclusive, worldwide license to develop and commercialize PRN2246.
"Sanofi is an ideal partner for PRN2246. The agreement allows Principia to maximize the BTK opportunity in neurology with a strong partner for PRN2246 while focusing internal resources on our lead BTK inhibitor in another therapeutic area," said Martin Babler, chief executive officer of Principia Biopharma.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017.