After a tough week marked by a disappointing multiple sclerosis (MS) trial result, Sanofi has moved decisively to strengthen its long-term pipeline. The French drugmaker has signed two major licensing deals, worth up to $1.7 billion and $1.04 billion, focused on autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
On 15 December, Sanofi expanded an existing collaboration with US-based biotech Dren Bio in a deal valued at up to $1.7 billion. Later the same day, the company announced a separate agreement worth up to $1.04 billion with South Korea’s ADEL for a promising Alzheimer’s disease therapy.
The market responded positively. Sanofi shares rose about 2% at market open on 16 December, reflecting renewed investor confidence following the announcements.
Sanofi’s relationship with Dren Bio began in March 2025, when it licensed rights to DR-0201, a deep B-cell depletion therapy designed to treat autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome and cutaneous lupus. The candidate is currently being tested in a Phase I clinical trial.
Under the expanded agreement, Dren Bio will receive $100 million upfront and could earn up to $1.7 billion in milestone payments. The collaboration now goes beyond a single asset, with both companies working together to discover and develop additional therapies using Dren Bio’s B-cell depletion platform.
Once new candidates are selected, Sanofi will take charge of development, manufacturing, regulatory approvals, and global commercialisation. Dren Bio, however, retains the option to share US profits or losses on a 50/50 basis, an arrangement that reflects Sanofi’s confidence in the platform’s potential.
“Our newly expanded strategic alliance with Dren Bio reflects Sanofi’s deep commitment to developing best-in-class therapies with the potential to achieve remission in patients with immune-mediated diseases,” said Alyssa Johnsen, Sanofi’s Global Therapeutic Head of Immunology and Oncology Development.
Sanofi also entered the fast-growing neuroscience deal space by licensing ADEL-Y01, an Alzheimer’s disease antibody developed by South Korea-based ADEL. The agreement grants Sanofi worldwide development and commercialisation rights and includes related backup compounds.
ADEL-Y01 is designed to target a specific toxic form of tau protein, acetylated tau at Lysine-280, rather than total tau. By focusing on the most harmful tau species, the therapy aims to block disease progression while preserving the normal function of tau in brain cells. The antibody is currently being evaluated in a global Phase I clinical trial.
“By combining our scientific expertise with the proven development and commercialisation capabilities of Sanofi, we hope to accelerate the delivery of this disease-modifying therapy to people living with Alzheimer’s around the world,” said Seung-Yong Yoon, CEO of ADEL.
The deals follow a setback earlier in the week, when Sanofi’s experimental MS drug tolebrutinib failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase III trial for a specific MS subtype. Adding to the challenge, the US Food and Drug Administration requested additional data, delaying its review of the drug in non-relapsing secondary progressive MS.
Together, the Dren Bio and ADEL agreements signal Sanofi’s intent to push forward despite near-term challenges. By investing heavily in autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, the company is positioning itself for long-term growth built on innovative, disease-modifying therapies.
Mansi Kadam is a market research writer with over 3 years of experience analyzing trends in the healthcare industry. At Towards Healthcare, she covers innovations in medical sector, sustainability initiatives, and the evolving regulatory landscape.
