Sanofi said an oral treatment for multiple sclerosis, tolebrutinib, met its key goal in a phase 3 study, potentially clearing the way for regulatory approval, although in two other studies, patients earlier in the disease failed to see a benefit.
A top company executive said he believes that the positive result would help build confidence among investors in the company’s research and development efforts.
“It’s a meaningful but not big financial driver, but a big driver in terms of confidence,” said Houman Ashrafian, Sanofi’s head of research and development. “So what does it mean for us? I think it drives a nail, positively, into the perspective that we can do R&D.”
The data, Ashrafian seemed to think, represent a proof-of-concept for his still-early tenure running R&D.
