Sanofi, Regeneron get mixed results from COPD drug in two trials

Andrew Joseph covers health, medicine, and the biopharma industry in Europe. You can reach Andrew on Signal at drewqjoseph.45.

An experimental COPD medicine from Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals produced mixed results in a pair of studies, the companies said Friday, sending both firms’ shares down in early and pre-market trading. 

The drug, called itepekimab, carries high hopes as the companies look for the next medicine that can produce the successes seen with Dupixent, their jointly marketed blockbuster. Dupixent is approved for a number of immune-mediated diseases, and picked up the green light for COPD last year. 

Sanofi shares slid some 5% Friday morning. In pre-market U.S. trading, Regeneron shares were down more than 10%.