FRANCE – Sanofi is to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Principia Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ: PRNB), a South San Francisco, CA-based late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for immune-mediated diseases, for $100 per share in cash, which represents an aggregate equity value of approximately $3.68 billion (on a fully diluted basis).
The Sanofi and Principia Boards of Directors unanimously approved the transaction.This acquisition advances Sanofi’s ongoing R&D transformation to accelerate development of the most promising medicines that will address significant patient needs. Principia’s Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors add to Sanofi’s efforts to accelerate and build a portfolio of the next generation of transformative treatments for autoimmune diseases. BTK is present in the signaling pathways of key innate and adaptive cell types of the immune system. Being able to block or disrupt these signaling processes can help in stopping inflammation and tissue destruction related to autoimmune diseases and target some of the underlying pathophysiology. The Principia BTK inhibitor franchise is based on its proprietary Tailored Covalency® platform that allows the design of both reversible covalent and irreversible covalent small molecule inhibitors that are more selective with less off-target effects. The optimized target residence time has potential to deliver a desired efficacy with a stronger safety profile.In 2017, Sanofi formed a collaboration with Principia under which Principia granted Sanofi an exclusive, worldwide license to develop and commercialize BTK inhibitor ‘168 in multiple sclerosis and other central nervous system diseases.17/08/2020
