Sanofi and Denali Therapeutics’ amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) therapy, SAR443820/DNL788, failed to meet its primary endpoint in the Phase II HIMALAYA trial.

The therapy could not demonstrate a reduction in ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), the primary endpoint of the Phase II trial (NCT05237284). ALSFRS-R is a validated tool to assess the severity of ALS and monitor a patient’s functional performance.

ALS is a rare fatal motor neuron disease. It is characterised by progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. The disease affects 2 in 100,000 people per year, according tothe US ALS Association.

Sanofi is investigating SAR443820/DNL788 as a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) in a Phase II trial (NCT05630547). The study has enrolled 174 participants and is expected to conclude in 2025, as per ClinicalTrials.gov.

Sanofi acquired the ALS therapy as part of a $1bn deal to license multiple drug candidates from Denali. The drugs were designed to target the receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) in the TNF receptor pathway associated with inflammation and cell death. The partnership has suffered multiple setbacks.

In October 2023, Sanofi discontinued the Phase II trial (NCT04781816) for RIPK1 inhibitor, eclitasertib, in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). The study failed to meet its primary endpoint of changing the Cutaneous LE Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) from baseline at 12 weeks. Eclitasertib is being investigated as a treatment for ulcerative colitis in a Phase II RESOLUTE trial (NCT05588843). The study is expected to enrol 182 participants andconclude in 2025.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

In June 2020, Denali and Sanofi paused clinical studies with DNL747 in Alzheimer’s disease and ALS. The companies stated, “due to emerging evidence that higher levels of target inhibition may be required for maximizing efficacy, and challenges to achieving higher doses imposed by molecule-specific toxicity findings with DNL747, we are pausing additional studies with this molecule,” in a June 2020 press release. The companies then decided to invest their resources into developing DNL788.