Oncodesign in second deal with Sanofi, in the area of tissue protection and repair

Dijon, France-based Oncodesign, a company specializing in drug discovery and providing pharmacological evaluation services in the field of oncology, has signed a second research collaboration agreement with French drug major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN). Financial details of the accord have not been disclosed.

This partnership follows a first agreement signed last summer, relating to a number of kinase targets being developed by Sanofi (The Pharma Letter September 14, 2012). Under the first accord, Oncodesign is entitled to an undisclosed technology access fee and discovery, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments totaling up to 130 million euros ($169 million) and low single digit royalties on net sales.

This second agreement aims to identify inhibitors of a kinase which plays a key role in tissue protection and repair. Oncodesign will use its Nanocyclix technology to design and synthesize potent new selective inhibitors. Sanofi will have exclusive licensing rights to the molecules that result from the collaboration.