InduPro, a biotechnology company developing therapeutics that leverage membrane protein spatial relationships, has entered into a strategic equity investment and research collaboration with Sanofi to advance a novel bispecific PD-1 agonist program for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The Seattle and Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company said the program is currently in preclinical development and that Sanofi will fund preclinical and IND-enabling research activities as part of the collaboration.
As part of the agreement, Sanofi will also make an undisclosed equity investment in InduPro. InduPro said the arrangement includes a right of first negotiation for its bispecific PD-1 agonist program, positioning Sanofi for potential next steps as the program progresses toward clinical development.
InduPro said its discovery approach is built around mapping protein “neighborhoods” on the cell surface using proprietary high-resolution proximity labeling technology. By identifying co-target pairs that are selective for specific disease biology, the company aims to design therapeutics that can influence cellular signaling pathways through induced proximity. InduPro said its platform is intended to generate first- and best-in-class candidates across multiple indications and modalities, including bispecific antibodies and formats such as antibody-drug conjugates and T cell engagers.
The collaboration aligns with Sanofi’s established focus on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It provides InduPro with partner funding intended to accelerate the PD-1 agonist bispecific program through key preclinical milestones required for an IND submission.
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“We are thrilled to collaborate with Sanofi to advance toward the clinic our bispecific PD-1 agonist program. Sanofi’s know-how and global leadership position in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases make them the ideal partner to bring this exciting first-in-class molecule forward,” said Prakash Raman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of InduPro. “In addition, we welcome Sanofi’s strategic equity investment into InduPro, which further reinforces the strength of our collaboration.”
Prakash Raman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, InduPro
