Sanofi Pasteur and Vivalis to ally on antibody research

Sanofi Pasteur is to enter into a new partnership with cell-based therapy specialist Vivalis in order to create new treatments for a number of infectious diseases.

The alliance will see the Sanofi-aventis subsidiary gain access to Vivalis’ Humalex platform for the discovery of fully human monoclonal antibodies, for an upfront payment of three million euros (2.5 million pounds).

Sanofi Pasteur will also gain exclusive rights to develop and commercialise any discovered antibodies worldwide, with Vivalis set to receive a potential total exceeding 35 million euros in milestone payments and royalties.

Michel de Wilde, senior vice-president of research and development at Sanofi Pasteur, said this new research into passive immunisation advances will help to create new solutions in combating serious illness.

He added: “Vivalis’ Humalex technology allows rapid identification of clinically relevant fully human antibodies, as well as their related antigen.”

Earlier this year, Sanofi Pasteur announced a new collaboration with the US Naval Medical Research Center in order to create a vaccine against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.