UCB and Sanofi to develop treatments for immune-mediated diseases

UCB and Sanofi have announced a new collaboration focused on creating new treatments for immune-mediated diseases, spanning areas such as gastroenterology and arthritis.

The scientific and strategic collaboration encompasses the discovery and development of innovative anti-inflammatory small molecules with the potential to treat a wide range of conditions, with costs and profits to be split equally.

Studies will focus on an innovative approach, created by UCB, to identify small molecule modulators of biological pathways, for which parenterally administered biologic therapies have proven highly efficacious in patients.

Immune-mediated diseases affect a large number of people worldwide, impacting the economies of many countries. As such, this poorly understood category of diseases represents a significant public health burden.

Ismail Kola, president of new medicines at UCB, said: "Together we can maximise the opportunity to treat diseases currently treated by biologic agents with small molecules and thus benefit millions of people suffering from severe diseases."

Last month, UCB announced the appointment of Jean-Christophe Tellier as its new chief executive officer. He will succeed Roch Doliveux at the start of 2015, following a nine-month handover period.