Ligand in deal with Sanofi for Captisol-enabled SAR-125844

US drugmaker Ligand Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: LGND) has entered into a global license and supply agreement with French pharma major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) to utilize Captisol in the development and commercialization of SAR-125844, a potent MET kinase inhibitor.

Under the terms of the license, Ligand will be eligible to receive potential milestone payments, royalties on future net sales and revenue from Captisol material sales. Sanofi will be responsible for all costs related to the program. Further financial terms were not disclosed.

“This represents the progression and expansion of our relationship with Sanofi as they continue to make progress on SAR-125844, a novel, selective MET kinase inhibitor,” commented John Higgins, president and chief executive# of Ligand, adding: “Captisol continues to bring significant value to our partners’ programs and shows great promise in enabling compounds in oncology, CNS, anti-infectives and many other therapy areas.”