CleveXel Pharma licenses two new oncology patents from SATT Sud Est

French company CleveXel Pharma has been granted a license by the SATT Sud Est, a technology transfer accelerator in South Eastern France (Societe d’Acceleration du Transfert de Technologies Sud Est), to exploit two patents. CleveXel was formed in early 2013 following the management-buyout of the Teva Development Center located in Maisons-Alfort (Val de Marne).

The license arose from SATT Sud Est development efforts and 260,000 euros ($334,000) of funding. Under the terms of the agreement, CleveXel Pharma will pay a percentage of all revenue to SATT Sud Est. This will vary depending on the stage of development reached. Further financial terms were not disclosed.

The first patent relates to the use of triazole nucleoside derivatives (TND) in the treatment of cancer, particularly azacitidine-resistant myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) that may also develop into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The second patent concerns a companion diagnostic test to identify the patients who are resistant to the standard treatment; azacitidine.

This is the 20th pharmaceutical contract granted by SATT Sud Est. Since it was established in 2012, SATT Sud Est has granted about 30 licenses. “CleveXel is a new player in pharmaceutical development that looks to win-win partnerships to share the risks associated with the development of health care projects,” said Olivier Freneaux, chairman of SATT Sud Est, adding: “We feel confident that this exploitation license granted to CleveXel Pharma is just the first of what will become a lasting partnership.”

Deal paves way for “real innovation in oncology,” says CleveXel CEO