The collaboration is focused on translational biomedical research in multiple therapeutic areas such as cancer, diabetes and inflammation.
The collaboration will support a number of activities over the term of the agreement through the granting of funding awards.
The funded projects will be selected by a Joint Scientific Steering Committee comprised of representatives of sanofi-aventis and Harvard, respectively.
Reportedly, the projects will be awarded funding based on their scientific merit and potential to generate translational insight and value to biomedical research.
Sanofi-aventis said that the collaboration provides the company with the opportunity to develop diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic applications of discoveries made.
Sanofi-aventis Research & Development executive vice-president Marc Cluzel said that they are hopeful that promoting open scientific exchange between Harvard’s biological researchers and Sanofi-aventis’ drug development environment will drive significant healthcare advances.