Sanofi licenses rovadicitinib from Sino Biopharm to expand global immunology pipeline with a Phase 2-ready oral asset
SHERIDAN, WYOMING - March 04, 2026 - Sanofi has signed a worldwide licensing agreement with Sino Biopharmaceutical to secure global exclusive rights to rovadicitinib, an investigational oral small molecule positioned as an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic therapy. The transaction includes a $135 million upfront payment and gives Sanofi the exclusive right to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the product globally, while Sino Biopharm is eligible for up to $1.395 billion in clinical, regulatory, and sales milestones plus double-digit tiered royalties. Operationally, the deal adds an oral candidate with a defined mechanism to Sanofi's immunology buildout and extends a pattern of external sourcing designed to accelerate portfolio depth without waiting for internal discovery timelines.