\u201cAt Sanofi, partnering isn\u2019t a side business\u2014it\u2019s a strategic priority,\u201d she says. There are several common misconceptions about partnering\u2019s role. Some assume success comes from the volume of deals, but activity alone doesn\u2019t equal productivity. Others believe cheaper deals are better, but Vnuk notes a low price doesn\u2019t make an asset strategically valuable. A partnership only matters if it strengthens the pipeline and advances the company\u2019s long-term goals.<\/p>\n
Many collaborations fall apart because companies sideline the partner\u2019s expertise. Those missteps, she notes, are exactly what Sanofi works hard to avoid. Vnuk adds that strategic structures like Sanofi\u2019s alliance management team<\/a> have been key to its success. This group supports partners across the whole spectrum of drug development. The team sits above individual departments, giving them a bird’s-eye view of both the company and partner\u2019s perspective. \u201cThis structure is a deliberate choice, designed to ensure objectivity and prevent internal priorities from sidelining a partner\u2019s voice,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s part of our code for how we work with partners and reflects our commitment to fairness.\u201d<\/p>\n When approached for partnerships, \u201cwe aim to be quicker with decisions, including a thoughtful no,\u201d Vnuk says. This allows potential partners to focus on parties that may move their science forward, and it frees up Sanofi\u2019s bandwidth to focus on opportunities it may pursue.<\/p>\n Sanofi\u2019s partnerships stand out for their ability to leverage scale and expertise while maintaining transparency. Rather than competing for resources, the company brings significant R&D<\/a> and commercial capabilities to collaborations\u2014particularly in Immunoscience<\/a> \u2014where its involvement can create meaningful impact. Sanofi also has a strong track record of working with smaller organizations, supporting their growth and helping advance innovative science.<\/p>\n To that end, \u201cwe want to add earlier clinical (PHASE 1) drugs into the pipeline,\u201d Vnuk says. This focus on Phase I signals Sanofi\u2019s willingness to engage early and help shape the development journey alongside its partners, rather than simply waiting to acquire late-stage assets.<\/p>\n