The Michael J. Fox
Foundation - Sanofi:
Partnering for
Parkinson’s Research
Todd Sherer, Marc Bonnefoi
MJFF’s mission
Drive the best Parkinson’s
research
Deliver improved
therapies and a cure
MJFF snapshot
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MJFF has funded over $304M in research since its founding in 2000
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Over $55M was directed toward PD research in 2011
Estimate ~$55M in grants awarded in 2012
In 2011, we received nearly 64,000 contributions and raised $68.4M
Core values are efficiency and accountability: 88 cents of every $1 spent goes straight to research program efforts
new commitments in
millions
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2001
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2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
est
Our in-house staff of 7 PhDs, 1 MD and 8 business strategists serve as portfolio managers, incorporating the advice
and input of experts from academia and industry into their decision-making
We reviewed over 900 PD-specific grants in 2011 and currently have over 450 active grants in our portfolio
MJFF’s approach to funding
Craft an informed
research agenda
• Understand patient
needs
• View global field and
identify most
promising targets
• PhDs balance relevance
and merit while
business managers
balance prioritization
and risk
Map out critical
research plans
• Infuse capital at
underfunded, high-risk
stages
• Develop and share
essential research tools
• Pragmatically push
research in a goal
directed, milestonedriven fashion
Problem-Solve:
lead and innovate
• Convene experts in
non-competitive
environment
• Facilitate handoffs and
orchestrate
connections
• Showcase top ideas to
industry
Our history
Our commitment
Sanofi is more than
a pharmaceutical laboratory;
we are a diversified healthcare company
© Urbanhearts/Fotolia
We act with our partners to protect
health, enhance life and respond
to the potential healthcare needs of
the 7 billion people around the world
CORPORATE PRESENTATION 2012
Our priority
A new R&D model:
• Simplification
• Openness
• Partnerships
• Biotechnologies
2012 - 2015
18 potential new launches*
Priorities
Diabetes
Fibrosis and tissue repair
Immuno-inflammation
Infectious diseases
Rare diseases
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Aging
R&D Portfolio
As of February 2012
60
molecules
and vaccines
Source: Press Release Feb. 8, 2012
* Scope includes New Molecular entities
(excluding life cycle management) and vaccines
CORPORATE PRESENTATION 2012
© Imagesource V/Fotolia
Accelerate
innovations
for patients
Our core belief: We cannot innovate alone
PAYERS
PROVIDERS
Our partner, MJFF
Therapeutics
Development
Initiative
• Nurr1 project
Tools/Models
• LRRK2 Industry Advisory Group
PD trial design
• LRRK2 clinical trial design working
group
Expert network
• Advice on non-motor symptoms of
PD
Drug Positioning
• AVE8112
The AVE8112 Story
• Sanofi approached MJFF to discuss how to best advance AVE8112 because
it had shown promising pro-cognitive activity in preclinical models
• MJFF staff, with additional input from external advisors, determined the
compound should be tested clinically
• Agreement was set up:
• MJFF to sponsor a multiple ascending dose phase Ib clinical trial, to assess
safety and tolerability of AVE8112 in patients with Parkinson’s disease
• Sanofi provides the compound and information for IND application
• All data and results owned by MJFF and shared with Sanofi
• Further development plans will be based upon the results of the study
The AVE8112 Story (cont’d)
• Trial details
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32 patients (4 cohorts of 8 patients each)
Dose escalation with a planned titration schedule
2 sites (California and Baltimore)
Working with Parexel Early Phase Unit (CRO) for trial execution
• Progress
• MJFF held pre-IND meeting with FDA in August 2012, which Sanofi
attended
• IND filing in early December 2012
• Start of the clinical trial expected in January 2013
• Final results expected in December 2013
MJFF and AVE8112
• Mission to accelerate treatments for PD
• Repositioning compounds → potentially faster
delivery of therapy to patients
• PD cognition focus for MJFF, based on patients’
needs
• De-risk PD for larger groups and funders who
have ability to ultimately commercialize