Sino Biopharma and Sanofi reach over $1.5 billion BD transaction

Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited, a China-based pharmaceutical company, and global drugmaker Sanofi on Wednesday announced an exclusive global licensing agreement for Rovaciditinib, a JAK/ROCK dual-target inhibitor.

Under the agreement, Sino Biopharma and its subsidiary Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical will grant Sanofi exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the product, in return for total payments of up to $1.53 billion.

The deal focuses on Rovaciditinib, a first-in-class drug developed by Chia Tai Tianqing. The therapy is the first approved JAK/ROCK dual-target small molecule inhibitor worldwide.

The innovative therapy currently targets two major indications: myelofibrosis (MF) and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).

MF was included in China's list of rare diseases in 2023, with an estimated annual incidence of over 60,000 and a prevalent patient population exceeding 200,000 in China.

With its dual-target mechanism, Rovaciditinib balances efficacy and safety in clinical applications. Phase III clinical data show significant improvements in spleen volume reduction and symptom improvement rates, along with a notable decrease in the incidence of adverse events.

Moreover, Rovaciditinib received marketing approval from China's National Medical Products Administration in February for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk primary myelofibrosis (PMF), post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis (PPV-MF), and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis (PET-MF).

Through this partnership, Sanofi — a global leader in vaccines, immunology, and rare diseases — will leverage its global clinical and commercial infrastructure to unlock Rovaciditinib's international potential and maximize its long-term value.