Sanofi, in its ongoing effort to streamline its product portfolio, is divesting 11 central nervous system (CNS) medications to Pharmanovia, a lifecycle management company. These drugs span various categories, including psycholeptic, anxiolytic, anti-epileptic, and anti-psychotic treatments. The specific medications involved in this transaction are Frisium, Sentil, Urbanyl, Urbanil, Urbanol, Urbadan, Noiafren, Castilium, Gardenal, Tercian, and Stemetil.
Pharmanovia specializes in “revitalizing, extending, and expanding” the lifecycle of established medicine brands, as stated in their announcement regarding the deal. The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Sanofi’s CEO, Paul Hudson, has been pursuing a strategic goal of refocusing the company on first-in-class or best-in-class growth drivers. It appears that many of Sanofi’s CNS medications do not align with this strategic direction, as the company previously divested 15 CNS products to Neuraxpharm in a separate deal last year, which also included two pain and vascular treatments.
This divestment of CNS medicines is part of a broader trend for Sanofi. In July, Germany’s Stada acquired a portfolio of former Sanofi consumer health products, following a similar sale of Sanofi consumer products in 2021. Additionally, in the summer of last year, Sanofi returned exclusive worldwide rights for the cancer medication Libtayo to its partner Regeneron in exchange for $900 million.
Despite these divestments, Sanofi and Regeneron have experienced success with their immunology drug Dupixent. Recent phase 3 trial data demonstrated the drug’s efficacy in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an indication the companies plan to file for approval next year. In the first half of the year, Dupixent generated nearly 4.9 billion euros in revenue, marking a 37% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
Sanofi is now entering what CEO Paul Hudson refers to as a “new steady state,” with a focus on launching new products, including the hemophilia A treatment Altuviiio and the infant RSV antibody Beyfortus. This strategic shift reflects Sanofi’s commitment to pursuing innovative therapies and growth opportunities in line with its evolving priorities.
