Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY), a leading French pharmaceutical company, has made an undisclosed investment in biotechnology firm Graviton Bioscience, securing a right of first negotiation for Graviton’s clinical-stage ROCK2 inhibitor candidates in immunological and metabolic syndrome indications. Graviton’s lead program, GV101, is a potential best-in-class ROCK2 inhibitor capable of crossing the blood-brain-barrier and has demonstrated a favorable safety profile at clinically relevant exposures during Phase I development, including a trial conducted in China.
According to the public data, in 2021, Graviton in-licensed a similarly acting molecule, TDI01, from China-based Sino Biopharmaceutical (HKG: 1177) for up to USD 517.5 million. TDI01 holds potential in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pneumoconiosis, with the candidate currently in Phase II trials.
ROCK2, a serine/threonine kinase, is known for its multiple cellular functions, and ROCK2 signaling is particularly crucial in inflammation and tissue remodeling, processes that drive disease progression in many fibrotic conditions. Research also indicates a link between ROCK2 dysregulation and a variety of solid and hematological cancers, as well as a broad spectrum of other diseases.
This strategic investment by Sanofi highlights the company’s commitment to expanding its pipeline in immunology and metabolism, and underscores the potential of ROCK2 inhibitors in treating a range of diseases with significant unmet medical needs.- Flcube.com
