Sanofi Bids for Ocular Therapeutix and Names Manuela Buxo Effective March 1
Ocular Therapeutix’s Phase 3 SOL-1 trial showed Axpaxli maintained vision in 74.1% of patients at Week 36 versus 65.9% for aflibercept but fell short of investor durability expectations; Sanofi is bidding for the company. Sanofi will appoint Manuela Buxo as Head of Specialty Care on March 1, succeeding Brian Foard.
1. M&A and Axpaxli Trial Details
Sanofi has initiated a bid for Ocular Therapeutix following topline results from the SOL-1 Phase 3 trial of Axpaxli in wet AMD. Axpaxli met its primary endpoint with 74.1% of patients maintaining vision at Week 36 versus 65.9% for aflibercept (p=0.0006) and showed a 21.1% risk difference at Week 52, but durability gains fell below investor expectations.
2. Specialty Care Leadership Transition
Effective March 1, Manuela Buxo will lead Sanofi’s Specialty Care Global Business Unit and join the Executive Committee, succeeding Brian Foard, who departs on February 28. Buxo has overseen global Dupixent expansion for over two years and brings more than 20 years of international healthcare and franchise management experience.