Vivalis in new EB66 cell line deal with Merial

France-based Vivalis (NYSE Euronext: VLS) announced today that it has executed a new research license agreement with Merial, a veterinary division of French drug major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) to evaluate the production of additional animal vaccine candidates using Vivalis’ EB66 cell line.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Previously in 2005 and 2010, Merial signed two EB66 commercial license agreements for the production of veterinary vaccines.

Franck Grimaud, chief executive, and Majid Mehtali, chief scientific officer, co-managers of Vivalis jointly stated: “This new agreement further expands our current commercial agreements with Merial to the EB66 cell line. An experienced EB66 cell line licensee since 2005, the decision by Merial to explore new applications of the platform demonstrates their continued support of the technology as they move closer toward commercial products. We look forward to continue supporting Merial in their current and future endeavors. This license represents the fifth EB66 cell line agreement signed since January 1, 2012.”