Sanofi to collaborate with Regenoron for up to $2.17 billion for cancer drugs

Sanofi will collaborate with its long time partner to jointly develop a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) as a part of phase 1 agreement, in the hot area of cancer immunotherapy

French drugmaker Sanofi, has recently announced its $2.17 billion partnership with Regenoron Pharmaceutical to strengthen its focus on cancer immunotherapy. Sanofi has committed to make an upfront payment of $640 million to Regeneron. If all goes the ambitious way, the U.S. biotech company will get up to $375 million more if certain sales targets are a hit.

Sanofi will also invest more than $1 billion in research for the programme, which aims to tap the body's immune system to help fight cancer (as reported by Reuters).

As part of the agreement, the two companies will jointly develop a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor currently in Phase I clinical testing, and plan to start trials in 2016 with new drug candidates.