Our advanced NANOBODY® technology platform is unlocking new possibilities in our immunology research to address complex immune-mediated diseases.
Our advanced NANOBODY® technology platform is unlocking new possibilities in our immunology research to address complex immune-mediated diseases.
Pioneering the Future of Immunology Research
For millions of people, the immune system - the body's natural defender - can become a source of chronic disease. At Sanofi, we aim to transform care for patients with chronic immune-mediated diseases. Our R&D approach focuses on immunoscience – the practice of exploring the role of the immune system in both how diseases manifest and how to treat and prevent them. Immunoscience enables us to understand the dysregulated immune pathways behind chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. By leveraging our deep understanding of immune pathways, proprietary platforms, and a robust treatment pipeline, we are working to fundamentally evolve what patients can expect from treatment.
Our Approach to Immunology Research
As a leader in immunology, Sanofi is working to transform medicine by leveraging our deep understanding of immune pathways that drive different diseases. We study their intricacies as well as cell types and interactions that make up the immune system to identify mechanisms that can combat disease. This immunoscience-based approach is paving the way for treatments that address the root causes of a range of immune-mediated diseases.
At Sanofi, we bring together deep immunology expertise, disease understanding and modern therapeutic modalities in our attempt to tackle the most complex immune-mediated diseases. Our science-first approach exists for one reason: to deliver breakthroughs that truly transform patients' lives.
Alexandra Hicks, PhD
Global Head of Immunology and Inflammation research, Sanofi
Our ambition is clear: to become a powerhouse in immunology. By advancing a best-in-class pipeline and going where unmet need is greatest, we're committed to setting a new standard for patients worldwide.
Alyssa Johnsen, MD, PhD
Senior Vice President, Global Therapeutic Area Head, Immunology and Inflammation Development, Sanofi
Meet our Sanofi Scientists Advancing Immunology Research
Follow a day in the life of Javier, a scientist at our mRNA Center of Excellence in Lyon, and discover how he is harnessing the power of mRNA to develop potentially transformative treatments for patients.
Meet Nadine, Sanofi's Cluster Head of Immunology Research, and learn about her team's dedication to developing innovative medicines for people living with autoimmune diseases.
Advancing a Robust Immunology Research Pipeline
Immunology research includes the discovery and development of therapies targeting immune system pathways. Sanofi is rapidly advancing a robust immunology research pipeline focused on molecules with the potential to intervene earlier in the disease course and modify disease progression. Our clinical immunology research targets disease areas with high unmet needs, including
- Dermatologic diseases: We help in addressing systemic diseases like atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), prurigo nodularis (PN) and bullous pemphigoid (BP), where the burden extends beyond the skin to impact quality of life.
- Respiratory diseases: Our research targets the underlying inflammation in conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) that can make every breath a struggle.
- Gastrointestinal diseases: We aim to bring relief to patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as other gastrointestinal diseases such as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), whose lives are often disrupted by debilitating symptoms.
- Rheumatological diseases: We are investigating ways to modify the course of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), IgG4-related disease, and inflammatory joint conditions like knee osteoarthritis (OA).
- Immune-mediated diseases of transplant: We are exploring how to extend graft survival in both hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and solid organ transplant by targeting the underlying immune-mediated conditions that drive graft failure - including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), and chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD).
- Type 1 diabetes and certain cancers: Our focus on understanding immune-mediated disease is also leading to innovations in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and treatment of certain cancers by harnessing the power of the immune system.
Our research programs span from early discovery to late-stage clinical trials, including multiple immunology assets in our global pipeline.
Targeting Key Pathways to Restore Balance
Calming Type 2 Inflammation
Our goal is to help restore immune health by calming excessive inflammation. Type 2 inflammation is a key immune pathway involved in multiple chronic inflammatory diseases. Our deep understanding of type 2 inflammation has transformed the treatment landscape. By targeting key interleukins1 — the signalling proteins that act as messengers between immune cells — our research has led to breakthroughs. Building on this, our teams are exploring other critical drivers of this pathway, such as IL-33, an important initiator of inflammation in COPD, and the dual targeting of IL-13 and TSLP, two separate drivers of inflammation that contribute to tissue damage in asthma and related diseases.
Beyond Type 2 Inflammation: Exploring New Immune Pathways
Our immunology research extends to other critical immune pathways, and we are investigating a range of molecules: a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor to modulate multi-immune processes across a range of diseases and a NANOBODY® that blocks both IL-13 and TSLP that holds promise across respiratory conditions. In gastroenterology, our researchers are exploring how targeting the TL1A pathway may help with the inflammation and fibrosis that is central to IBD. These advances in immunology represent our commitment to finding new solutions for complex inflammatory diseases.
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Immunoscience & Immune Modulation
Using advanced genomic, genetic, and proteomic insights, we work to understand the biological differences among patients. This allows us to tailor therapeutic strategies for effective treatments. We are investigating novel ways to modulate immune cell interactions to selectively curb destructive inflammation.
Novel Platform Technologies in Immunology Research
Novel platform technologies are fundamentally transforming how we understand and interact with the immune system, offering unprecedented depth, speed, and precision to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. Our R&D teams are at the forefront of this revolution, pioneering new modalities designed to deliver targeted therapies with enhanced efficacy
NANOBODY® molecules
These tiny, modular antibody fragments are inspired by nature and can engage multiple targets at once, creating the potential for more powerful and precise medicines.
Advanced mRNA technologies
We use messenger RNA to provide temporary instructions to the body's cells, enabling them to fight disease from within.
Protein degraders
These are designed to harness the body’s own natural disposal systems to find and remove specific disease-causing proteins.
Our Vision: From Managing Symptoms to Modifying Disease
At Sanofi, immunology research means moving from symptom management to disease modification. It is about intervening earlier to potentially change the course of disease and deliver a profound impact for patients. By translating our deep understanding of the immune system into a new generation of medicines, we are committed to helping give people their lives back from chronic disease.
More About Immunology
Tackling Atopic Dermatitis From Multiple Angles
References
- Mifflin L, Ofengeim D, Yuan J (2020) Nat Rev Drug Discov 19:553-571; DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-0071-y
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