Sanofi and Rib-X to study new antibiotics

Sanofi and Rib-X Pharmaceuticals have entered into a new alliance to study a potentially promising new class of antibiotic treatments.

Under the terms of the exclusive worldwide research collaboration, Sanofi will gain access to Rib-X's RX-04 programme, which has developed new compounds that adopt the novel approach of targeting bacterial ribosomes.

These antibiotics have been shown to offer potential benefits in combating multidrug-resistant pathogens, with Sanofi hoping to leverage this technology in the development of multiple new products.

Dr Elias Zerhouni, president for global research and development at Sanofi, noted that there is an urgent need for new antibiotics, yet it remains an area in which only a limited amount of research is being conducted.

"This partnership exemplifies Sanofi's commitment to translate novel approaches for treatment into patient solutions addressing the global critical need to combat the rising threat of antibiotic drug resistance," he said.

Last week, the company announced a new partnership with Weill Cornell Medical College, which will focus on the field of tuberculosis research.