Sanofi

Sanofi is a global pharmaceutical company positioning itself as the first large-scale, AI-driven drugmaker. Per a 2023 BlueRun Ventures piece, CEO Paul Hudson announced an "All In" push on artificial intelligence and data science, with the stated goal of becoming "the first large-scale pharmaceutical company powered by artificial intelligence" . That ambition has been backed by heavy dealmaking: in 2022 alone, Sanofi committed over $8.7 billion across four AI-pharma partnerships, including a $1 billion upfront collaboration with Exscientia and tie-ups with Insilico Medicine, Atomwise, and others—upfront payments totaling more than $1.14 billion, or roughly 16% of its annual R&D spend .

More recently, Sanofi has deepened its AI bets through Helixon Therapeutics (also referred to as Earendil Labs or 华创智药/华深智药 in Chinese sources), where it serves as both investor and major partner. The two parties have amassed over $4.4 billion in licensing and collaboration agreements, including an $1.845 billion global exclusive license for dual-specificity antibodies HXN-1002 and HXN-1003 in 2025, and a broader strategic partnership for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases with potential value up to $2.56 billion . Sanofi also co-invested in Helixon's $787 million financing round in March 2026—then a global biotech fundraising record—alongside Pfizer's Biotech Development Fund, DST Global, and others . Additionally, Sanofi is a limited partner in Cathay Capital's innovation funds, reflecting a strategy of blending corporate venture capital with direct R&D partnerships .