Sanofi-aventis, Alopexx Enter Into Collaboration Agreement

Sanofi-aventis and Alopexx Pharmaceuticals have entered into a collaboration agreement and option for a license on a first-in-class human monoclonal antibody for the prevention and treatment of S aureus, S epidermidis, E coli, Y pestis (the bacterium that causes plague) and other serious infections. This new antibody is currently in preclinical development.

Under the agreement, Alopexx will bring the product into Phase I clinical trials during 2010, with an option for an exclusive worldwide license for Sanofi-aventis at that point in time for development and a commercialization license of the product.

Alopexx will receive an upfront payment and research funding from Sanofi-aventis and is eligible for development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments which could reach $375m in total, as well as royalties on sales of products commercialized under the license and collaboration.

Marc Cluzel, executive vice-president of R&D at Sanofi-aventis, said: “The emergence of antibiotic resistant infections is and remains an unmet medical need. I am very enthusiastic about this collaboration with Alopexx on such a promising product that could become, if developed to its full potential, a key driver of our company’s anti-infective portfolio with a strong position in the prevention and treatment of resistant infections.”

Daniel Vlock, CEO of Alopexx Pharmaceuticals, said: “We are extremely excited about our partnership with Sanofi-aventis. Sanofi-aventis’ commitment to partnering with biotech companies, such as Alopexx, to develop novel therapies for the treatment and prevention of serious infections and other diseases makes us optimistic that our antibody would, upon approval, impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide.”