Sanofi Buys Kadmon Pharmaceuticals for $1.9 Billion
Sanofi has dropped $1.9 billion to acquire New York-based Kadmon Pharmaceuticals and its first-in-class oral kinase inhibitor, Rezurock (belumosudil), approved in July to treat chronic graft-vs.-host disease (cGVHD).
Rezurock will be the third drug in Sanofi’s transplant lineup. The once-daily oral medication is the first inhibitor of the Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2 (ROCK2) enzyme that influences both inflammation and fibrosis. It’s indicated for adults and children 12 years and older with cGVHD who have failed at least two prior treatments.
A phase 2 study is also investigating the molecule as a treatment for diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.
The acquisition is part of Sanofi’s push to strengthen its general medicines business, said Olivier Charmeil, Sanofi’s executive vice president of general medicines.