Sanofi-aventis agrees oncology partnership with Avila Therapeutics

Sanofi-aventis will be allying with Avila Therapeutics on research into covalent cancer therapies.

The partnership will focus on the development of targeted drugs directed at six signalling proteins that are critical in tumour cells, which have proven difficult to treat with standard pharmaceutical methods.

It will utilise Avila's innovative protein silencing technology Avilomics, with the resulting compounds expected to deliver long-lasting action and unique therapeutic benefits.

Avila will receive upfront and milestone-based payments for its role in the partnership, as well as an option to retain the rights to one of the six programmes after the initial three-year alliance concludes.

Dr Debasish Roychowdhury, senior vice-president and head of oncology at Sanofi-aventis, said: "We believe that Avila's approach adds to our growing portfolio of research capabilities that will provide medicines which substantially improve patient outcomes."

This comes after the company announced last week that it will also be partnering with Merck Serono on research into experimental cancer therapy options.