Sanofi did not see the efficacy it wanted in mid-stage tests of a cytokine therapy from its $2.5 billion acquisition of Synthorx. While the pharmaceutical giant isn’t giving up on the drug, it said it will restart the molecule in a new Phase 1/2 program, a setback that will lead to a €1.6 billion financial writedown.
The San Diego-based biotech is developing IL-2 therapeutics for cancers as well as autoimmune disorders. Its lead candidate, THOR-707, is in a Phase I/II study in solid tumors.
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
Interleukin-2 has been plagued by low responses and scary side effects but Synthorx is adding synthetic amino acids and a polymer to the treatment in an effort to make it a more effective cancer therapy