Regenerons Sanofi deal finally turns a profit, thanks to Dupixent

More than 10 years after Sanofi and Regeneron joined forces in a high-profile antibody drug partnership, the tie-up has recorded its first-ever profits no thanks to the PCSK9 laggard Praluent, but with big bouquets for hard-driving Dupixent. Fueled by Dupixents 557 million dollars in second-quarter sales, Regeneron on Tuesday reported that its Sanofi antibody partnership posted a 39 million dollars profit, a big turnabout from the same period last year, when it cost Regeneron 69 million dollars. Sanofi and Regeneron first joined forces way back in 2007, agreeing to split U.S. profits and losses 50-50 and ex-U.S. proceeds on a sliding scale. Along the way, Regeneron has opted to co-promote Dupixent, now approved to treat severe eczema, asthma and nasal polyps; cholesterol-fighter Praluent and the rheumatoid arthritis med Kevzara in the U.S. Sanofi recorded $557 million in Dupixent sales worldwide in Q2, plus $74 million for PCSK9 cholesterol drug Praluent and $56 million for rheumatoid arthritis med Kevzara. Dupixent and Kevzara beat analyst expectations, while Praluent fell short. SVP of commercial operations Marion McCourt said about 80% of asthma patients starting Dupixent haven’t taken a biologic before, while the rest are switches from rivals such as GlaxoSmithKline's Nucala. Both asthma and atopic dermatitis—a.k.a. eczema—were “major drivers” for the quarter, she added.