Sanofi to acquire Vigil Neuroscience for US $470M

FRANCE – Sanofi is set to acquire Vigil Neuroscience in a US $470 million deal, aiming to strengthen its focus on neurological diseases with a promising Alzheimer’s drug.

The French drugmaker will pay US $8 per share and offer Vigil shareholders a contingent value right (CVR) of $2 per share, tied to future milestones related to Vigil’s oral Alzheimer’s drug candidate, VG-3927.

A CVR gives shareholders potential additional payouts after a deal closes, depending on agreed outcomes, such as drug development progress.

The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025 and will not impact Sanofi’s financial outlook for the year.

Sanofi had previously invested US $40 million in Vigil in June 2024, securing exclusive negotiation rights for VG-3927.

With this acquisition, Sanofi gains full control over the drug’s research, development, manufacturing, and potential commercialization.

VG-3927 targets TREM2, a receptor found on microglia, the brain’s immune cells, and is believed to help protect the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. People with rare TREM2 gene variants face a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

In early trials, VG-3927 showed a strong safety profile in healthy volunteers, including older adults. The drug is on track to enter Phase II trials later in 2025.

Sanofi has confirmed the program will move forward but has not stated if the timeline will change due to the acquisition. Vigil’s antibody program, VGL101, will not be part of the deal and will revert to Amgen.

Sanofi sees VG-3927 as a more convenient and potentially safer alternative to current Alzheimer’s treatments like Leqembi and Kisunla, which have faced coverage and cost-effectiveness challenges.

“Vigil’s science strengthens our neurology pipeline,” said Houman Ashrafian, Sanofi’s head of R&D. “We’re excited to work together to bring new hope to people living with Alzheimer’s.”

Other companies, including Novartis, are also exploring TREM2-based treatments, with more Phase II studies expected in late 2025.