Sanofi to develop cancer drug with Oxford Biomedica

TroVax is Oxford Biomedica's lead cancer immunotherapy. A phase III trial of Trovax in renal cancer is ongoing.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi will make payments to Oxford Biomedica of $690 million during the course of the phase III trial and based on the progress of the product.

Sanofi will fund all future activities including a development plan for TroVax in colorectal cancer. Sanofi will be responsible for the commercialization of TroVax, although Oxford Biomedica may exercise an option to participate in the promotion of the product in Europe and US. Oxford is entitled to escalating royalties on global sales of TroVax.

TroVax targets the tumor antigen 5T4, which is broadly distributed throughout a wide range of solid tumors. As a result the drug has potential application in various solid tumors, including lung, breast and prostate cancer.