Sanofi, the French multinational pharmaceutical company, has completed its acquisition of Vigil Neuroscience, a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Watertown, Massachusetts. Vigil specialises in microglia-targeted therapeutics for rare and common neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

This acquisition enhances Sanofi’s early-stage pipeline in neurology with the addition of VG-3927, a novel, oral, small-molecule TREM2 agonist, which is set for a phase 2 clinical study in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition, the deal brings Vigil’s preclinical pipeline into Sanofi’s research portfolio, further strengthening its position in neurodegenerative disease research.

In June 2024, Sanofi made a USD 40 million strategic investment in Vigil, which included the exclusive right of first negotiation for an exclusive license, grant, or transfer of rights to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize VG-3927.  

Under the agreement, Sanofi acquired all outstanding common shares of Vigil for USD 8 per share in cash at closing, representing an equity value of approximately USD 470 million (on a fully diluted basis)

Additionally, Vigil shareholders received a non-transferable contingent value right (CVR) per share, which entitles its holder to receive a deferred cash payment of USD 2, conditioned upon the first commercial sale of VG-3927.

Notably, Sanofi did not acquire VGL101, Vigil’s second clinical program. As previously communicated, the acquisition of Vigil is not expected to impact Sanofi's financial guidance for 2025.  

Headquartered in Paris, Sanofi is a research and development-driven, AI-powered biopharma company. Its current pipeline includes five marketed products, 81 compounds in clinical development, and 24 clinical trials in phase 3.