Sanofi has decided to continue the global cardiomyopathy research collaboration with MyoKardia formed in August 2014. MyoKardia is now eligible for a $45 million milestone payment payable by January 31, 2017.
 
The agreement focuses on heritable cardiomyopathies and includes three MyoKardia programs. Two of these programs are focused on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and one targets dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
 
MyoKardia’s lead product candidate MYK-461 in the initial indication of symptomatic, obstructive HCM, was granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. FDA. MyoKardia is studying MYK-461 in the Phase 2 PIONEER-HCM trial.
 
MyoKardia received a separate, $25 million milestone payment from Sanofi in November 2016 for the filing of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA for its MYK-491 program in DCM. MyoKardia intends to initiate a Phase I study of MYK-491 in healthy volunteers in 1H17. MyoKardia maintains commercial rights to MYK-461 and HCM-2 as well as co-promotion rights for MYK-491 in the U.S.
 
“MyoKardia and Sanofi share a passion for science and a commitment to patients,” said Tassos Gianakakos, chief executive officer. “The continuation of this research collaboration provides valuable support for further innovation and development of critically important therapies for patients with serious cardiovascular diseases.”