Sanofi and Regeneron Launch Comprehensive Phase 3 Clinical Program With LDL Cholesterol-Lowering PCSK9 Antibody

Sanofi and Regeneron Launch Comprehensive Phase 3 Clinical Program With LDL Cholesterol-Lowering PCSK9 Antibody PR Newswire PARIS and TARRYTOWN, New York, July 20, 2012 PARIS and TARRYTOWN, New York, July 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- -- ODYSSEY, a global program to evaluate SAR236553/REGN727, a potential first-in-class PCSK9 inhibitor, will comprise over ten clinical trials and will include more than 22,000 patients -- Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) announced today that several trials within ODYSSEY, the Phase 3 clinical program of SAR236553/REGN727, have initiated patient enrollment. SAR236553/REGN727 is a potential first-in-class, subcutaneously administered, fully-human antibody that lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by targeting PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9), an enzyme which binds LDL receptors, leading to their accelerated degradation and increased LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. "We are delighted to lead the field of PCSK9 late stage development with the broad global 22,000 patient ODYSSEY clinical trial program, and would like to thank in advance the patients and physicians who will contribute to the first Phase 3 program evaluating a PCSK9-targeted therapy," said Jay Edelberg M.D., Ph.D., Head of the PCSK9 Development and Launch Unit, Sanofi.