Sanofi Is ‘Looking at Options’ for Weekly GLP-1, Zerhouni Says

Sanofi, France’s biggest drugmaker, is considering options for a once-weekly GLP-1 diabetes treatment, Elias Zerhouni, Sanofi’s global research and development chief, said.

“We’re looking at various options,” Zerhouni told analysts during a conference call today. He declined to comment further.

Sanofi will bring two projects into clinical development for biosimilar insulins in a bid to broaden its diabetes portfolio. The French company is facing competition in the insulin field from rivals including Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly & Co.

“They are not biosimilars of our own molecules,” Sanofi Chief Executive Officer Chris Viehbacher said during the conference call with reporters. He didn’t elaborate.

Sanofi’s top-selling Lantus insulin last year garnered 4.96 billion euros ($6.6 billion) in sales, the company said today. Results from two late-stage trials for a new formulation of Lantus, also known as insulin glargine, are expected in the second quarter, Sanofi also said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Albertina Torsoli in Paris at atorsoli@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Phil Serafino at pserafino@bloomberg.net