FTC Seeks to Block Sanofi’s Acquisition of Rare Disease Drug that Threatens Sanofi’s Monopoly

Summary:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking to block Sanofi's proposed acquisition of an exclusive license to Maze Therapeutics Inc.'s therapy in development for treatment of Pompe disease. The FTC alleges that the deal, valued at up to $755 million, would eliminate a nascent competitor to Sanofi's monopoly in the Pompe disease therapy market. The agency claims that Sanofi, a monopoly supplier of FDA-approved drugs to treat Pompe disease, is attempting to acquire Maze's Phase 2-ready developmental drug, MZE001, which threatens to undermine Sanofi's monopoly and deny patients and doctors the benefits of competition, including lower prices and greater innovation. The FTC has authorized staff to seek a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in federal district court to prevent Sanofi from acquiring MZE001, pending the agency's administrative proceeding.