Sanofi and Translate Bio recently entered into a $3.2 billion pharma acquisition deal to accelerate the development of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics. 

Under the terms of the acquisition, Translate Bio will provide its mRNA technology platform and other capabilities to Sanofi’s research, further advancing the ability to develop best-in-class vaccines and therapeutics.

Overall, the acquisition builds on Sanofi’s establishment of a first-of-its-kind vaccines mRNA Center of Excellence.

“A fully owned platform allows us to develop additional opportunities in the fast-evolving mRNA space. We will also be able to accelerate our existing partnered programs already under development. Our goal is to unlock the potential of mRNA in other strategic areas such as immunology, oncology, and rare diseases in addition to vaccines,” Paul Hudson, chief executive officer of Sanofi, said in the announcement. 

Sanofi and Translate Bio first collaborated in June 2018 to develop mRNA vaccines that widely address current and future infectious diseases. Currently, there are two ongoing mRNA vaccine clinical trials under the collaboration.

First, the companies launched a Phase 1 trial in June to evaluate an mRNA seasonal influenza vaccine. Results for this trial are due in Q4 2021. 

And the second study is a Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating Sanofi and Translate Bio’s COVID-19 vaccine, MRT5500. 

In October 2020, MRT5500 induced “potent” neutralizing antibodies against the coronavirus, with levels significantly higher than those previously observed in infected patients.

After just one administration, all dose levels saw a 100 percent increase in serum antibody concentration. Researchers also observed antibody titers across all dose levels after receiving the two-dose-administration regimen. 

But in the higher dose groups, including five micrograms and ten0 micrograms, titers were detected after one administration of MRT5500 and were more notable after the second administration.

The final results of the trial will be released in Q2 2021.

Translate Bio has an early-stage pipeline in cystic fibrosis and other rare pulmonary diseases on the therapeutic side. Currently, discovery work is ongoing in diseases that affect the liver. 

“Sanofi and Translate Bio have a shared commitment to innovation in the mRNA space. With Sanofi’s long-standing expertise in developing and commercializing vaccines and other innovative medicines on a global scale, Translate Bio’s mRNA technology is now even better positioned to reach more people, faster,” said Ronald Renaud, chief executive officer at Translate Bio. 

“We believe this acquisition will strengthen the team’s ability to achieve the full potential of the mRNA technology,” Renaud concluded.