Add the skin microbiome to Sanofi’s growing list of strategic targets for new messenger RNA vaccines. The pharmaceutical giant is acquiring Origimm Biotechnology, an early clinical stage start-up company that is developing therapeutic vaccines to address diseases and infections related to microbes colonizing the skin.
Financial terms were not disclosed on Wednesday announcement The two companies are expected to complete the transaction early this month.
The focus of Origimm’s research in Vienna, Austria is the discovery of toxic skin microorganisms that cause disease or infection. Origimm said its proprietary technology selects proteins that bacteria use to invade human cells or evade detection by the immune system. Biotechnology then uses these proteins to train the skin’s immune system to respond to the problematic bacteria.
Origimm’s first product candidate, ORI-001, is a vaccine for the treatment of acne vulgaris.This engineered protein-based vaccine solves Dermabacterium acnes, A bacterium that plays a key role in the development of moderate to severe acne. ORI-001 began preliminary clinical trials in the third quarter of this year. Sanofi said it is working to develop other antigen versions that will use mRNA. Sanofi said it expects that these vaccines should be available for Phase 1/2 testing in 2023.
Earlier this year, Paris-based Sanofi announced plans to invest heavily in mRNA Establish a department specializing in research and development of new mRNA vaccinesSanofi promises to inject 400 million euros into this new mRNA center of excellence each year, which has outposts in the United States and France. As part of the mRNA strategy, Earlier this year, Sanofi acquired Translate Bio for US$3.2 billionSince 2018, Translate Bio has been a partner of Sanofi, developing mRNA vaccines against various diseases.
Origimm was founded by Sanja Selak, the company’s CEO and chief scientific officer, and a biotech industry veteran. According to the company’s website, she ran the business as a sole proprietorship from 2012 to 2014. Origimm became a limited liability company in 2014.Two years later, the startup announced the closure of one A round of financing The amount is not disclosed.
Photo: CDC /Glenn Lambert
