Nurix Therapeutics announced that Sanofi has exercised its option to exclusively license Nurix’s STAT6 program, which includes NX-3911, an oral drug designed to degrade STAT6. This license extension triggers a \$15 million payment to Nurix, increasing the total collaboration payments to \$127 million. In addition to this immediate payment, Nurix remains eligible for up to \$465 million in future milestones, plus royalties. The company also retains rights to co-develop and co-promote the drug in the United States.
NX-3911 was developed using Nurix’s DEL-AI platform and targets STAT6, a key protein involved in type 2 inflammation that contributes to conditions such as atopic dermatitis and asthma. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, with the drug achieving complete degradation of STAT6 and demonstrating effectiveness comparable to STAT6 gene knockout in animal models.
This deal marks Sanofi’s second license extension of a Nurix autoimmune program within 90 days, highlighting confidence in Nurix’s drug discovery technology. The arrangement allows Nurix to participate more actively in the U.S. market through potential co-development and co-promotion, which could significantly enhance its financial benefits if the drug advances successfully through clinical trials.
Nurix’s chief scientific officer, Dr. Gwenn M. Hansen, explained that NX-3911 is a highly selective and orally administered STAT6 degrader that shows strong anti-inflammatory effects in multiple preclinical models. Nurix’s CEO, Dr. Arthur T. Sands, noted that the STAT6 program also includes other discovery-stage assets that may offer additional opportunities in collaboration with Sanofi.
Under the 2019 agreement, Nurix uses its DEL-AI platform to discover new agents that promote protein degradation. Sanofi holds the option to license drug candidates from this work, while Nurix retains co-development and co-promotion rights for up to two products in the U.S., sharing profits and losses equally if those options are exercised. For other programs, Nurix receives milestone payments and royalties on global sales. Since the collaboration began, Sanofi has made upfront and expansion payments totaling \$127 million to Nurix.
STAT6 is a crucial transcription factor in the IL-4 and IL-13 signaling pathways that drive allergic inflammation. Targeting STAT6 with an oral degrader offers the potential for strong efficacy and safety comparable to biologic treatments, but with the convenience of a pill. This approach is supported by genetic and clinical research showing that inhibiting STAT6 can reduce symptoms of diseases like atopic dermatitis and asthma.
Nurix Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in targeted protein degradation, a novel approach to drug development aimed at treating cancer and inflammatory diseases. Its pipeline includes multiple degraders and inhibitors targeting key proteins involved in immune regulation and cancer. The company collaborates with major pharmaceutical partners including Sanofi, Gilead Sciences, and Pfizer, retaining options to co-develop and co-promote certain products in the U.S.
While the program shows strong preclinical promise, the drug candidate remains in the early stage of development with no human trial data yet. Its success depends largely on Sanofi’s ability to advance it through clinical testing and commercialization. Nurix’s future revenues from the program will depend on meeting development milestones, regulatory approvals, and market performance.
This announcement reflects Nurix’s ongoing commitment to leveraging its AI-driven discovery platform to develop innovative medicines and its growing partnership with Sanofi, which continues to invest in promising therapies for autoimmune diseases.
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