Kiadis licenses previously undisclosed pre-clinical K-NK-cell programs to Sanofi, with total potential deal value of €875 million, plus royalties - Seite 2

Arthur Lahr, chief executive officer of Kiadis, commented, “We are proud to announce this collaboration with Sanofi, which marks the start of the previously undisclosed K-NK004 program and expands the application of our K-NK platform into multiple myeloma. The agreement with Sanofi –  with their world-class expertise and approved anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, Sarclisa, in multiple myeloma and deep understanding of NK-cell biology – is a testament to the groundbreaking potential of our K-NK natural killer cell platform to treat life-threatening diseases.”

John Reed, Global Head of Research and Development at Sanofi, commented, “The licensing of Kiadis’ CD38KO K-NK cells is particularly exciting for Sanofi since we will be studying this cell-based therapeutic with our recently FDA approved treatment for patients with difficult-to-treat multiple myeloma, in hopes of bringing even more options to these patients with this hematologic cancer. At Sanofi, we are committed to pioneering treatments that address unmet healthcare challenges. Innovative collaborations, such as this partnership with Kiadis, have the potential to expand the clinical benefits of our medicines by combining them with synergistic partnered therapeutics to deliver improved outcomes for patients.”

About the Sanofi-Kiadis License Agreement
Sanofi has received exclusive worldwide rights to research, develop and commercialize K-NK004 based on Kiadis’ CD38KO K-NK cells in combination with CD38-targeting molecules for the treatment of multiple myeloma and other CD38 positive blood cancers. Recently, Sanofi received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Sarclisa, a monoclonal antibody that targets CD38, for the treatment of multiple myeloma.  Additionally, Sanofi has obtained exclusive rights to use Kiadis’ K-NK platform for two other previously undisclosed pre-clinical programs. The license does not include rights to K-NK002 and K-NK003 or to any other current and future Kiadis programs.

Under the terms of this agreement, Sanofi will be responsible for and bear all costs related to the research and development, manufacturing, regulatory and commercial activities related to the licensed K-NK programs. Kiadis has retained exclusive rights to and will supply PM21 particles and select universal donors for Sanofi, paid for by Sanofi.

About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy,¹ affecting more than 130,000 patients in the United States; approximately 32,000 Americans² are diagnosed with multiple myeloma each year. Despite available treatments, multiple myeloma remains an incurable malignancy, and is associated with significant patient burden. As patients relapse, they can become refractory to therapies they have received. There is a need for new agents so that patients and physicians can have options as the disease progresses over time.