Sanofi strengthens its portfolio with Ablynx takeover for $4.8bn

Biotechnology company Sanofi has recently acquired Bioverativ for $11.6bn in order to strengthen its leadership in rare diseases and become a main player in the haemophilia market.

It’s recent decision to acquire Belgian based Ablynx for $4.8bn is set to further compliment the business and further its R&D strategy, expanding its rare blood disorders franchise with Ablynx’s late-stage investigational caplacizumab aTTP (acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura), as well as strengthen its Nanobody technology platform.

The recent deal will enable Sanofi to acquire all outstanding ordinary shares, and see the company develop Nanobody technology within a wide range of therapeutic areas such as haematology, inflammation, immuno-oncology and respiratory diseases. Eight Nanobodies have now entered clinical development.

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Sanofi's Chief Executive Officer Olivier Brandicourt commented, "With Ablynx, we continue to advance the strategic transformation of our Research and Development, expanding our late-stage pipeline and strengthening our platform for growth in rare blood disorders.

We are also pleased to reaffirm our commitment to Belgium, where we have invested significantly over the years in our state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing facility in Geel. We intend to maintain and support the Ablynx science center in Ghent."

Ablynx's Chief Executive Officer Edwin Moses said, "Since our founding in 2001, our team has been focused on unlocking the power of our Nanobody technology for patients. The results of our work are validated by clinical data. As we look ahead, we believe Sanofi's global infrastructure, commitment to innovation and commercial capabilities will accelerate our ability to deliver our pipeline."