Sanofi terminates deal on drug license after US FTC objects

[December 12, 2023]  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sanofi said on Monday it was terminating a deal to exclusively license a drug that Maze Therapeutics is developing to treat Pompe disease because of objections from the U.S. government.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said that it had decided to fight the proposed exclusive license because the arrangement would create a monopoly for medicines to treat Pompe disease.

Sanofi said that the "delay associated with a long litigation" had led it to terminate the planned deal.

The FTC valued the deal, which was announced in May 2023, at $755 million.

Pompe disease is a rare genetic condition where a person lacks a digestive enzyme. The disease causes muscle weakness and wasting and can be fatal if not treated.

The logo of French drugmaker Sanofi is seen a the Sanofi Genzyme Polyclonals in Lyon, France, September 30, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Leslie Adler and Lisa Shumaker)

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