Sanofi, Scribe Therapeutics expand collaboration for in vivo genetic medicines

Scribe Therapeutics announced an expanded collaboration with Sanofi. Under the agreement, Sanofi receives an exclusive license to use Scribe’s CRISPR X-Editing genome editing technologies for the development of in vivo therapies, including sickle cell disease. The agreement follows the launch of the companies’ existing collaboration focused on ex vivo editing of natural killer cell therapies for the treatment of cancer. The in vivo collaboration will leverage Scribe’s precisely engineered CRISPR XE technologies and Sanofi’s capabilities in non-viral delivery to address an initial target for sickle cell disease. Scribe’s proprietary CRISPR by Design approach powers the only platform that uses holistic engineering to transform bacterial immune systems into therapeutically relevant genome editing technologies. By combining Scribe’s novel technologies with Sanofi’s proven expertise in developing and manufacturing therapeutics on a global scale, the companies will seek to advance potentially breakthrough genomic medicines for the in vivo treatment of sickle cell and other diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, Scribe will receive $40M in upfront payment and is eligible to potentially receive more than $1.2B based on the successful completion of certain development and sales milestones. Scribe will also be eligible to receive tiered royalties that range from high single digits to low double digits on net future sales on any products that may result from this agreement. Scribe has a right to opt-in to development cost sharing, as well as co-promotion and profit and loss sharing in the U.S. on one future program.