Ligand licenses Captisol to Sanofi for development of MET kinase inhibitor

Captisol is a patent-protected, chemically modified cyclodextrin with a structure designed to optimize the solubility and stability of drugs.

Scientists at University of Kansas’ Higuchi Biosciences Center laboratories of Dr Valentino Stella have invented and initially developed Captisol for specific use in drug development and formulation.

As part of the license deal, Ligand will be eligible to receive potential milestone payments, royalties on future net sales and revenue from Captisol material sales, while Sanofi will pay all the costs related to the program.

Designed for intravenous (IV) administration, SAR-125844 recently completed a first-in-human, open-label, non-randomized, single agent, Phase I trial in advanced/refractory solid tumor patients.

Ligand president and CEO John Higgins said: "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.

"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."

Captisol has been used in the development of seven FDA-approved products, including Amgen’s Kyprolis, Baxter International’s Nexterone and Merck’s Noxafil IV. Currently, there are more than 30 Captisol-enabled products in clinical development.