Sanofi, MGH enter into oncology research collaboration

The MGH and Sanofi will include both pre-clinical and clinical translational research to explain questions from proof-of-concept to tolerability, efficacy and effectiveness.

Sanofi Oncology senior vice president and head Debasish Roychowdhury said, "This is a unique model of collaboration and exemplifies our open innovation R&D strategy as well as Sanofi’s approach to make the best use of world-class institutions and scientists within Greater Boston."

The collaboration will primarily focus on the development of two molecules with potential to treat various types of advanced tumors.

Sanofi Global Research & Development president Elias Zerhouni said, "This research collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital exemplifies how we are leveraging these relationships in a translational and experimental medicine approach to drug discovery and clinical development – one that combines and complements our collective understanding of complex disease, expertise in biological science, and deep knowledge of medicines to help accelerate delivery of treatments to patients with unmet medical needs."

Sanofi claimed that it has a hold on a translational and experimental medicine approach to drug discovery and clinical development, merging knowledge in biological science with an understanding of the needs of patients with complex diseases.

The initial agreement, which is for two years, has an option to extend for a longer term at the discretion of both partners. Financial details of the collaboration were not revealed.