GSK and Sanofi both moved this week to reshape their portfolios, with GSK striking a deal for a next-generation blood cancer therapy while Sanofi restructured its mature medicines business through a new partnership.

GSK acquires trispecific T cell engager from Chimagen

GSK entered an agreement to acquire a potential best-in-class trispecific T cell-engager (TCE) from Chimagen Biosciences, a privately held biotechnology company.

Under the terms of the agreement, GSK is set to pay an upfront fee to acquire full global rights to the TCE program with Chimagen also eligible to receive success-based development and commercial milestone payments.¹ The agreement has a total potential value of up to $750 million and is subject to customary closing conditions.¹

GSK plans to develop and commercialize the asset for multiple myeloma, with the program expected to enter Phase I trials in 2027. TCEs have shown transformational efficacy in multiple myeloma but have been associated with difficult tolerability profiles. The Chimagen trispecific asset is designed to address this by binding to T cells while simultaneously targeting two strategically selected and validated tumor-associated antigens.¹

This targeted approach aims to achieve a deeper and more durable response compared with existing TCEs, along with an improved tolerability profile, which could enable broader adoption and earlier use in multiple myeloma treatment.

Hesham Abdullah, senior vice president, global head oncology, R&D, GSK, says: "Today's deal secures a promising T cell engager and advances GSK's leadership goals in blood cancer. The agreement complements our existing portfolio in multiple myeloma, adding a new potential option to address the different needs of patients facing this complex disease."

Multiple myeloma is the third most common blood cancer globally, with approximately 180,000 new cases diagnosed globally each year.¹ While generally considered treatable, it is not currently curable, and research into new therapies is vital as the disease commonly becomes refractory to available treatments.

The agreement builds on GSK's existing relationship with Chimagen, following a previous agreement to acquire CMG1A46, a clinical-stage dual CD19 and CD20-targeted TCE currently in Phase I trials for B-cell malignancies and B-cell dependent autoimmune disorders.¹

Zhenhao Zhou, chief executive officer, Chimagen Biosciences, said: "Our mission has always been to translate cutting-edge innovation into life-changing medicines. Working with GSK combines our precision T cell engager programme with their global development and commercial capabilities to redefine care for multiple myeloma patients. This agreement also marks another major milestone for our platforms as we continue to build an industry-leading pipeline of multi-specific antibody candidates."

Sanofi and Cheplapharm form strategic partnership

Sanofi and Cheplapharm, a European leader in well-established medicines, announced the intention to create a strategic partnership under which Cheplapharm is expected to take over from Sanofi a selection of 20 mature medicines and three manufacturing sites worldwide.

In return, Sanofi will receive a 26.4% equity stake in Cheplapharm, building on a collaboration that started back in 2014.²

As part of the project, three manufacturing sites would be transferred to Cheplapharm: Csanyikvolgy in Hungary (approximately 400 employees), Jurong in Singapore (approximately 100 employees), and Ploermel in France (approximately 65 employees).² The teams would continue their activities with existing employment arrangements and collective agreements maintained.

"The reinvention of Sanofi is not about cutting costs. It is about redirecting resources, human, financial, and technological, toward the areas where we believe we can make the greatest difference for patients and for the company, " Sanofi Chief Digital Officer Emmanuel Frenehard told Pharmaceutical Executive in a recent podcast.

Sanofi and Cheplapharm will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of supply in compliance with the highest manufacturing quality standards, with the medicines being diverted from Sanofi including Lovenox/Clexane (enoxaparin).²

Thomas Grenier, executive vice president, general medicines, Sanofi, says: "Our multi-year journey to simplify our mature portfolio has enabled us to focus on innovation while ensuring mature medicines continue to reach patients who need them. Cheplapharm has been a trusted partner for more than a decade, and this transaction significantly builds on its prior acquisitions from Sanofi's mature medicines portfolio. This new partnership, together with our equity stake in Cheplapharm, underscores our commitment to ensuring patients continue to benefit from today's essential medicines while also pursuing tomorrow's breakthroughs."

The partnership is based on a shared conviction that innovative medicines and certain mature medicines have different needs and should benefit from operating models tailored to their specific manufacturing, regulatory and commercial requirements, with Cheplapharm's specialized expertise intended to ensure these medicines continue to meet patients' needs throughout the next stage of their lifecycle.²

Commercial transfer of the medicine portfolio is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2027, followed by the transfer of the sites, subject to employee information and consultation procedures with employee representatives, regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to be fully completed by the third quarter of 2027.²

The proposed transaction is not expected to have any impact on Sanofi's financial guidance for 2026, and additional financial details are expected to be provided at a later stage.

Sources

1. GSK to acquire potential best-in-class T cell-engager (TCE) for multiple myeloma from Chimagen Biosciences GSK September 15, 2026, https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-to-acquire-potential-best-in-class-t-cell-engager-tce-for-multiple-myeloma-from-chimagen-biosciences/
2. Press Release: Sanofi and Cheplapharm to create new strategic partnership in mature medicines Sanofi September 14, 2026, https://www.sanofi.com/en/media-room/press-releases/2026/2026-09-14-13-03-56-3361178