• 03 Jun 2025
• Admin
• News Article

Sanofi to acquire US-based biopharma company, Blueprint Medicines for up to $9.5 billion

Sanofi and Blueprint Medicines Corporation (Blueprint), a US-based, publicly traded biopharmaceutical company specializing in systemic mastocytosis (SM), a rare immunological disease, and other KIT-driven diseases, have entered into an agreement under which Sanofi will acquire Blueprint.

Key Asset: Ayvakit / Ayvakyt

The acquisition includes a rare immunology disease medicine, Ayvakit/Ayvakyt (avapritinib), approved in the US and the EU, and a promising advanced and early-stage immunology pipeline. Furthermore, Blueprint’s established presence among allergists, dermatologists, and immunologists is expected to enhance Sanofi’s growing immunology pipeline.

Indications and Mechanism

Ayvakit/Ayvakyt is the only approved medicine for advanced and indolent systemic mastocytosis (ASM & ISM), a rare immunology disease characterized by the accumulation and activation of aberrant mast cells in bone marrow, skin, the gastrointestinal tract, and other organs.

Additional Pipeline Assets

The acquisition will also bring:

• Elenestinib: A next-generation medicine for SM.
• BLU-808: A highly selective and potent oral wild-type KIT inhibitor with the potential to treat a broad range of immunological diseases.

Financial Terms

Under the terms of the acquisition:

• Sanofi will pay $129.00 per share in cash at closing.
• This represents an equity value of ~$9.1 billion.
• Blueprint shareholders will receive one non-tradeable contingent value right (CVR).
• Each CVR entitles the holder to:
  • $2 for achieving a clinical milestone (BLU-808).
  • $4 for achieving a regulatory milestone (BLU-808).
• The total potential equity value including CVRs: ~$9.5 billion (fully diluted basis).

CEO Statements

Paul Hudson, CEO, Sanofi

“The proposed acquisition of Blueprint Medicines represents a strategic step forward in our rare and immunology portfolios… This makes sense for science, for both companies, for healthcare professionals, and – most of all – for patients.”

Kate Haviland, CEO, Blueprint Medicines

“We have translated our unique scientific understanding of mast cell biology into a portfolio of important therapies including Ayvakit… With this agreement, we begin our next chapter with Sanofi…”

About Systemic Mastocytosis (SM)

Mast cells are key players in immune responses. In systemic mastocytosis, mast cells accumulate abnormally in multiple organs.

Symptoms Can Include:

• Anaphylaxis
• Bone disease
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Skin lesions

ISM represents the majority of SM cases.

Ayvakit Performance and Scientific Profile

• 2024 Net Revenues: $479 million
• Q1 2025 Revenue: ~$150 million (+60% YoY growth)
• Mechanism: Potent and selective inhibitor of activated KIT and PDGFRA mutant kinases

About Elenestinib (HARBOR Study)

• Next-generation KIT D816V inhibitor with limited CNS penetration
• Oral investigational drug for ISM
• Currently in Phase 2/3 HARBOR trial (NCT04910685)
• Evaluates efficacy + safety with symptom-directed therapy in ISM and smouldering SM

About BLU-808

• Oral, potent wild-type KIT inhibitor
• Targets mast cell activation across inflammatory diseases
• Developed using Blueprint’s mast cell biology expertise

Tender Offer Details

• Sanofi to initiate cash tender offer for $129.00 per share
• Blueprint shareholders receive 1 CVR per share (potential $6 total)
• Premium:
  • ~27% over May 30, 2025 closing price
  • ~34% over 30-day VWAP
  • With CVR: ~33% premium over closing price; ~40% over VWAP

Conditions & Completion Timeline

• Requires:
  • Majority share tender
  • Regulatory approvals
  • Other customary conditions
• Upon success: Sanofi’s subsidiary merges with Blueprint; non-tendered shares also receive $129 + CVR
• Financing: From Sanofi’s cash reserves + new debt (no financing condition)
• Expected Closing: Q3 2025
• Impact: Immediately accretive to gross margin; positive EPS and business income post-2026

Ayvakit’s Global Regulatory Status

• US FDA Approvals:
  • Advanced SM (June 2021)
  • Indolent SM (May 2023)
  • Also for GIST (PDGFRA exon 18 mutation)
• EU Approval (Ayvakyt):
  • Adults with ISM inadequately controlled on symptomatic treatment
  • Adults with ASM, SM-AHN, or MCL (after ≥1 systemic therapy)
  • Adults with GIST (PDGFRA D842V mutation)

Global Reach: Approved in 16 countries, including China (partnered with CStone Pharmaceuticals, royalty-based model)