Pressmeddelande -
Curie-Cancer and Sanofi cooperate in research on ovarian cancer
- Preclinical program of translational research to identify new target proteins -
Paris, France – June 19, 2013 –Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and the Curie Institute, through its Curie-Cancer partnership under the Institut Carnot label, announce today the establishment of a three-year research collaboration to identify new therapeutic targets for the development of treatments for ovarian cancer.
The aim of the collaboration between Sanofi and Curie-Cancer is to revisit the basic biology of this type of cancer through a translational research approach. The Institut Curie has a large collection of cryopreserved tumor samples that are well characterized clinically, histologically and biologically. These can be analyzed to identify biological targets relevant to the effective treatment of certain types of cancer. Through this collaboration, Sanofi and Curie-Cancer expect to gain a better understanding of the molecular alterations that characterize many types of ovarian cancer, thereby enabling effective new drugs to be designed.
"We hope this type of long-term collaboration will ultimately open up perspectives for new therapeutic options for women with this disease. It will combine the accumulated knowledge on ovarian cancer gathered over many years by oncologists and biologists at the Institut Curie with the expertise of researchers from Sanofi’s research and product development teams," said Dr. Debasish Roychowdhury, Senior Vice President and Head of Sanofi Oncology. "Established under the Aviesan[1] partnership, this research agreement is a good example of translational research involving French scientific excellence.”
"It is hard currently to tackle ovarian cancer, and there are very few drugs available. To potentially provide our patients with additional therapeutic solutions, we are very happy to collaborate with Sanofi, whose expertise in the selection of therapeutic targets is complementary to the know-how and technology platforms developed at the Institut Curie" said Damien Salauze, Director of Curie-Cancer.
Using technology platforms developed by the Institut Curie by Xavier Sastre-Garau and Sergio Roman-Roman groups, this program will make it possible to sequence molecules expressed by the tumor genome, compare the sequences of those obtained with non-tumor tissues from the same patients, and then clarify and validate the nature of the molecular alterations that are identified. Sanofi’s expertise in the selection of therapeutic targets will then guide an assessment of the tumor's ability to be inhibited or stimulated by drugs.
Ovarian cancer is still difficult to treat, despite recent advances. The main risk factor is advancing age, as well as a known hereditary factor in 5-10% of cases. They are most often diagnosed late. The current therapeutic strategy of combining surgery and chemotherapy is effective, but relapses are frequent and the condition gradually becomes resistant to medical treatment.
About
Curie-Cancer
Curie-Cancer
is the body responsible for developing Institut Curie’s industry partnership
activities. It oversees the institute’s existing industry partnerships as well
as areas of high potential interest to industry partners. Institut Curie’s
1,200 researchers provide the high level of expertise in oncology required to
collaborate with industry partners in creating and subsequently developing
cancer therapies.
Curie-Cancer management has extensive industry experience and can call upon a vast pool of scientists involved in basic and clinical research. In 2011, Curie-Cancer was awarded the “Institut Carnot” label by the French government, which recognizes excellence and involvement in research partnerships.
About
Institut Curie
Institut
Curie is a private foundation founded in 1909 by Marie Curie, the first woman
Nobel prize-winner and the first double Nobel prize-winner. It is the leading
comprehensive cancer center (combining research and patient care) in Europe. Institut Curie’s
research center and hospital employ some 3,200 scientists, physicians, nurses,
technicians and administrative staff. The institute’s current objectives
include increasing the proportion of research programs carried out in
partnership with industry so that research results can lead to faster
availability of products and services for the benefit of patients. For more
information, go to: http://www.curie.fr/en
About Sanofi Oncology
Sanofi Oncology is a global division of Sanofi
based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Vitry, France. At Sanofi Oncology,
the patient is our inspiration. We are dedicated to translating science into
effective therapeutics that address unmet medical needs for cancer and organ
transplant patients. Through our global organization of talented and passionate
employees, we are building a renewed and diversified portfolio, driven by the
principles of innovation, personalization and patient access to medicines. We
believe that delivering innovative treatment solutions requires collaboration
with external experts, which is why we partner our own internal expertise with
the best experts in scientific discovery and clinical research around the
world.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, an integrated global healthcare
leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on
patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with
seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs,
consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme.
Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
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of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and
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uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in
research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post
marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA,
regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological
application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their
decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the
availability or commercial potential of such product candidates, the absence of
guarantee that the product candidates if approved will be commercially
successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic
alternatives, the Group’s ability to benefit from external growth
opportunities, trends in exchange rates and prevailing interest rates, the
impact of cost containment policies and subsequent changes thereto, the average
number of shares outstanding as well as those discussed or identified in the
public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed
under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements” in Sanofi’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.
[1]Alliance Nationale pour les Science de la Vie et de la Santé (French National Alliance for Life Sciences and Health)
Contacts:
Sanofi
Media
Relations
Frédéric Lemonde-San
Tél. : + (33) 1 53 77 91 55
frederic.lemonde@sanofi.com
Lauren Musto
Oncology Division Communications
Tel: 1 (617) 768-1993; Mobile 1(781)
572-1147
lauren.musto@sanofi.com
Investor Relations
Sébastien Martel
Tél. : + (33) 1 53 77 45 45
ir@sanofi.com
Curie-Cancer
Damien Salauze
damien.salauze@curie.fr
Médias
et analystes
Andrew Lloyd & Associates
Juliette dos Santos / Céline Gonzalez
Tél. : +(33) 1 56 54 07 07
juliette@ala.com
/ celine@ala.com
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