Sanofi-Aventis in cancer licensing deal with Ascenta, worth up to $398 million to the US firm

Announcing a third research collaboration in little over a week, French drug major Sanofi-Aventis has signed an exclusive global collaboration and licensing agreement with US biopharmaceutical company Ascenta Therapeutics on a number of compounds that could restore tumor cell apoptosis. These compounds inhibit the p53-HDM2 (Human Double Minute 2) protein-protein interaction, leading potentially to reactivation of p53 tumor suppressor functions and therefore enhancing current cancer treatments.

Under the terms of the deal, Ascenta will receive an upfront payment, as well as
development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments. All such payments could reach a total of $398 million. In addition, Ascenta is eligible to receive tiered royalties on eventual worldwide product sales.

Two compounds set to enter preclinical testing