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Sanofi Divests 50% Stake in Consumer Health Unit; Supernus Depression Drug Falls Short in Trial

• Sanofi has reached an agreement with CD&R to sell a 50% stake in its consumer health business Opella, with France's Bpifrance taking an additional 2% stake, deal expected to close in Q2.

• Supernus Pharmaceuticals' experimental antidepressant SPN-820 failed to show significant improvement over placebo in a mid-stage study for treatment-resistant depression, sending shares down.

• Gilead Sciences sets FDA decision deadline of June 2025 for lenacapavir as HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), potentially offering the first twice-yearly prevention option.

In a significant strategic move, French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi has finalized an agreement to divest a 50% stake in its consumer health business, Opella, to private equity firm CD&R. The deal, which includes an additional 2% minority stake acquisition by French state-owned investment bank Bpifrance, is set to conclude in the second quarter. This divestment aligns with Sanofi's strategy to redirect resources toward prescription drug research and development.

Clinical Setback for Supernus in Depression Treatment

Supernus Pharmaceuticals has encountered a significant setback in its clinical program for treatment-resistant depression. Their investigational oral drug SPN-820, designed to enhance protein complexes involved in brain cell signaling and function, failed to demonstrate superiority over placebo in improving depressive symptoms during a four-week treatment period in a mid-stage clinical trial.
Despite showing favorable tolerability, the disappointing efficacy results sent Supernus's shares tumbling by double digits on Wednesday morning. CEO Jack Khattar indicated that the company will conduct further data analysis and engage in discussions with development partner Navitor Pharmaceuticals regarding the program's future direction.

Strategic Developments in Cancer and HIV Treatment

In oncology news, Arcus Biosciences will retain full control of casdatifan, their HIF-2a inhibitor, after collaboration partner Gilead Sciences declined to exercise its licensing option. The drug, which shares a mechanism of action with Merck & Co.'s approved treatment Welireg, is being developed for clear cell renal cell carcinoma. To support independent development, Arcus has announced a $150 million stock offering.
Meanwhile, Gilead Sciences continues to advance its HIV prevention portfolio. The company announced that the FDA has accepted its approval application for lenacapavir as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, with a decision expected by June 19, 2025. If approved, lenacapavir would represent a significant advancement in HIV prevention as the first twice-yearly PrEP option. The drug is already marketed in several countries as a treatment component for multi-drug resistant HIV.
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Reference News

[1]
Sanofi reaches consumer health deal; Supernus antidepressant fails study
biopharmadive.com · Feb 19, 2025
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