Sanofi-Aventis to develop Anti-Light human monoclonal antibody

Sanofi-Aventis is set to have exclusive rights to develop an Anti-Light fully human monoclonal antibody worldwide, except in Japan and Asian countries.

For these regions, the company will work alongside Kyowa Hakko Kirin, the firm that discovered the treatment, which is being examined for its ability to aid ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and possibly rheumatoid arthritis.

Under the terms of the collaboration and licensing agreement, Kyowa Hakko Kirin will receive an initial fee and then milestone payments depending on how successful certain development stages are. The company will also be entitled to royalties when the product is commercialised.

Marc Cluzel, senior vice-president of the research and development department of Sanofi-Aventis, said the new agreement will strengthen Sanofi-Aventis’ pipeline in the inflammation market.

“There are very important breakthroughs in the field of inflammation-like [anti-tumour necrosis factors] but unfortunately not all patients benefit from these new therapies,” he said.

“Anti-Light antibody may represent an alternative therapy for those patients.”

Earlier this week, Sanofi-Aventis launched the construction of a new Sanofi Pasteur vaccine manufacturing centre in Neuville-sur-Saone, France.