The biopharmaceutical company Ardelyx has licensed to Sanofi its novel phosphate transport NaP2b

inhibitor program (also known as NaPi2b, Npt2b and SLC34A2). Ardelyx will receive an

undisclosed upfront payment from Sanofi. Total development and regulatory milestones could

potentially reach up to $198 million. Ardelyx would also be entitled to royalties on product sales.

In addition, Ardelyx retains an option to participate in co-promotional activities for the US

market. Ardelyx's NaP2b program includes a portfolio of minimally-absorbed NaP2b inhibitors in

discovery and preclinical stage of development, and Sanofi will have full responsibility for

further discovery efforts and development of any products. NaP2b is an intestinal phosphate

transporter whose activity accounts for a significant portion of dietary phosphate absorption in

humans. The inhibition of NaP2b should have utility for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia

(elevated serum phosphate) in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and other forms of

chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Source: Ardelyx