Regeneron has developed aflibercept, a VEGF inhibitor, and rilonacept, an interleukin-1 blocker. VEGF is a protein that normally stimulates the growth of blood vessels, and interleukin-1 is a protein that is normally involved in inflammation. On March 26, 2012, Bloomberg announced that Sanofi and Regeneron are in development with a new cholesterol drug which will help reduce cholesterol up to 72% more than the leading brands. The new drug targets the PCSK9 gene. In July 2015, the company announced a new global collaboration with Sanofi to discover, develop, and commercialise new immuno-oncology drugs, which could generate more than $2 billion for Regeneron, with $640 million upfront, $750 million for proof of concept data and $650 million from the development of REGN2810. REGN2810 was later named cemiplimab. In 2019, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals was announced the 7th best stock of the 2010s, with a total return of 1,457%. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals was home to the two highest-paid pharmaceutical executives as of 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in early 2020, Regeneron made a deal with the US-government Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority that the government would fund 80% of the costs for Regeneron to develop and manufacture Coronavirus disease 2019 treatments, and Regeneron would retain the right to set prices and control production. This deal was criticized in the New York Times. Such deals are not unusual for routine drug development in the American pharmaceutical market. In May 2020 Regeneron announced it would repurchase around $5 billion of its shares, held directly by Sanofi. Prior to the transaction Sanofi held 23.2 million Regeneron shares.
Marketed products
ARCALYST for specific, rare autoinflammatory conditions. Approved by the FDA in February 2008. EYLEA Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 2011 to treat a common cause of blindness in the elderly. EYLEA is reported to cost $11,000 per year for each eye treated. ZALTRAP for metastatic colorectal cancer: Approved by the FDA in August 2012. PRALUENT indicated as an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy for the treatment of adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who require additional lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Approved by FDA on 24 July 2015 It is reported to cost $4,500 to $8,000 per year. DUPIXENT is for the treatment of adolescent and adult patients' atopic dermatitis. Approved by FDA on 28 March 2017. It is reported to cost $37,000 per year. KEVZARA is an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist for treatment of adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Approved by FDA on 22 May 2017. Trials commenced on March 16 2020 to evaluate the effectiveness of Kevzara in the treatment of COVID-19. LIBTAYO is a monoclonal antibody targeting the PD-1 pathway as a checkpoint inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or locally advanced cSCC who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation. Approved by FDA on 28 September 2018. REGN-EB3 is a drug made of three antibodies, developed to treat Ebola. Among patients treated with it, 71% recovered; the mortality rate improved if the drug was administered soon after infection, at a 94% survival rate, in a timely diagnosis- critical for those infected with dangerous diseases like Ebola that can cause sepsis and, eventually, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, more quickly than other diseases. This makes Ebola potentially a treatable disease.
Technology platforms
Trap Fusion Proteins: Regeneron's novel and patented Trap technology creates high-affinity product candidates for many types of signaling molecules, including growth factors and cytokines. The Trap technology involves fusing two distinct fully human receptor components and a fully human immunoglobulin-G constant region. Fully Human Monoclonal Antibodies: Regeneron has developed a suite of patented technologies, including VelocImmune and VelociMab, that allow Regeneron scientists to determine the best targets for therapeutic intervention and rapidly generate high-quality, fully human antibodies drug candidates addressing these targets.
Financial performance
Financial Year
Revenue
Ref
2012
$1.4 billion
2013
$2.1 billion
2014
$2.8 billion
2015
$4.1 billion
2016
$4.8 billion
2017
$5.8 billion
2018
$6.7 billion
2019
$7.8 billion
Key people
The company was founded by CEO Leonard Schleifer and scientist George Yancopoulos. They are reported to hold $1.3 billion and $900 million in company stock, respectively. Both are from Queens, New York. Schleifer was formerly a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical School. Yancopoulos was an assistant professor at Columbia University. Yancopoulos was involved in each drug's development.
