Sanofi-aventis Seals Global Licensing Agreement With The Rockefeller University

Sanofi-aventis has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with the Rockefeller University, New York, for a monoclonal antibody, targeting certain specific forms of the Amyloid Beta parenchymal plaque for the treatment of alzheimer’s disease.

The anti-Amyloid Beta (ABeta) antibody therapy is to prevent and reverse the amyloid plaque formation which may lead to cognitive improvement in patients with alzheimer’s disease. This antibody is planned to enter development at the end of 2009.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi-aventis is expected to obtain an exclusive worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialise the anti-ABeta antibody. The terms of the license were undisclosed.

Marc Cluzel, executive vice-president of R&D at Sanofi-aventis, said: “It’s a great pleasure to interact with The Rockefeller University and in particular with Jeffrey Ravetch, expert in the engineering of mAb Fc region and effector functions. Dr Ravetch discovered the original murine monoclonal antibody targeting the Amyloid Beta peptide, one target which may have a

significant positive impact in the management of patients with alzheimer’s disease, which is a public health priority.”

Dr Jeffrey Ravetch, professor and head of the leonard wagner laboratory of molecular genetics and immunology at the Rockefeller University, said: “I am pleased to contribute with Sanofi-aventis to the development of a novel anti-ABeta antibody for the treatment of alzheimer’s Disease. The initial studies suggest that this antibody may be an effective means of reducing the progression of this widespread and debilitating disease.”