Sanofi-Aventis, Merck KGaA Sign Agreement to Jointly Develop Cancer Drugs
Sanofi-Aventis SA and Merck KGaA agreed to jointly study experimental cancer treatments.
Sanofi and Darmstadt, Germany-based Merck will conduct early stage human trials of Merck’s MSC1936369B and Sanofi’s SAR245409 and SAR245408 experimental drugs, Paris-based Sanofi said in an e-mailed statement today. Financial details weren’t disclosed.
Sanofi seeking ways to replace sales when products accounting for a quarter of its annual revenue lose patent protection by 2013. The company is narrowing its business to three areas -- diabetes, heart problems, and cancer -- and is seeking partnerships and acquisitions. Merck has encountered development setbacks over the last 18 months as U.S. regulators delayed a review of the cladribine multiple sclerosis pill, the drug failed to win European approval and cancer therapy Erbitux was rejected for use against lung cancer in Europe.
Under the terms of today’s agreement, each company will carry out an early-stage dosing test of the experimental medicines. Sanofi will be granted a license to study the safety and effectiveness of the Merck compound when used with SAR245408. Merck will be given a license to work with Sanofi’s other medicine to study its use in combination with its experimental compound.
To contact the reporter on this story: Eva von Schaper in Munich at evonschaper@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Phil Serafino at pserafino@bloomberg.net
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