Sanofi expands access to ImmunoGen's TAP technology

US firm ImmunoGen says that French drug major Sanofi-Aventis has exercised its option under a 2006 agreement for expanded access to its Tumor-Activated Prodrug technology.

This enables Sanofi-Aventis to evaluate, with certain restrictions, the company's maytansinoid TAP technology with antibodies to targets not included in the existing research collaboration between the companies and to license the exclusive right to use this to develop products to specific targets on the terms in the original accord. ImmunoGen is entitled to earn upfront and milestone payments potentially totaling $32.0 million per target for each compound developed under the deal, as well as royalties on commercial sales. The US firm is also entitled to manufacturing payments for any materials made on behalf of Sanofi-Aventis.

ImunoGen earned $3.5 million with the exercise of this option in August this year in addition to the $500,000 in December 2006 with the signing of the option agreement. The new deal extends until August 31, 2011, and can be renewed by the French firm for one additional three-year term by payment of a $2.0 million fee.