Sanofi-aventis (SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) said Tuesday that they have entered into agreements to expand and extend their existing global collaboration to discover, develop, and commercialize fully-human therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.
Sanofi-aventis will increase its annual funding commitment from $100 million to $160 million beginning in 2010, and the research funding will now extend through 2017.
The companies aim to advance an average of four to five antibodies into clinical development each year. In addition to its VelocImmune technology, Regeneron will contribute to the collaboration its next generation technologies related to antibody generation.
Sanofi-aventis has an option to extend the discovery program for up to an additional three years for further antibody development and preclinical activities. The amendments announced today do not change the financial terms of the November 2007 agreement governing the development and commercialization of antibody drug candidates arising from the discovery collaboration.
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