Sanofi-aventis and Exelixis enter alliance for oncology therapies

Sanofi-aventis and biotechnology company Exelixis have signed a global licence agreement for XL147 and XL765 and an exclusive collaboration for the discovery of inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) for the management of solid malignancies.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi-aventis will have an exclusive worldwide licence to XL147, an oral PI3K inhibitor, and XL765, an oral dual inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). Both are in phase 1 clinical trials. Sanofi-aventis will have sole responsibility for all subsequent clinical, regulatory, manufacturing and commercial activities. Exelixis will participate in ongoing and potential future clinical trials.

In addition, the two companies will combine research efforts to establish several preclinical programmes related to isoform-selective inhibitors of PI3K. Sanofi-aventis will manufacture products that result from the collaboration. However, Exelixis may be responsible for conducting certain clinical trials.

"We are very excited about integrating such novel targeted therapies with high therapeutic potential in our portfolio," said Marc Cluzel, senior vice-president of r&d at Sanofi-aventis.

Sanofi-aventis will pay Exelixis an upfront cash payment as well as development and milestone payments that could reach over US$1bn.