Sanofi (France) to Seek More Venture-Capital Deals Like Warp Drive Bio

Sanofi (SAN), France’s biggest drugmaker, is seeking more deals with venture-capital funds like its partnership with biotechnology company Warp Drive Bio, Chief Executive Officer Chris Viehbacher said. Sanofi teamed with venture-capital firms Third Rock Ventures and Greylock Partners last year to finance Warp Drive Bio, which is using genomic technology to develop new treatments. The Paris-based drugmaker has recruited someone to look at venture-capital projects, though Viehbacher declined to identify the person. “The Warp Drive model where we are doing in-kind contributions for equity, where our researchers are directly involved in the project, that’s to me more where we want to go,” Viehbacher said in an interview in Lyon, France.