Sanofi is terminating an exclusive license agreement with Maze Therapeutics for the development of a drug candidate to treat Pompe disease because of objections from the U.S. government.
 
The agreement, announced in May 2023, is for MZE001, a glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) inhibitor program that has completed Phase 1 and is in development for Pompe Disease, a rare, inherited and often fatal disorder that disables the heart and skeletal muscles.
 
The Maze partnership was designed to apply Sanofi’s resources and expertise to accelerate the development of MZE001. The delay associated with a long litigation has led Sanofi to conclude that it would not be in the best interest to contest this litigation and Sanofi will therefore be terminating the agreement with Maze in accordance with its terms. 
 
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission decided to fight the proposed exclusive license because the arrangement would create a monopoly for medicines to treat Pompe disease. The FTC valued the deal at $755 million.