Sanofi, Aviesan renew research partnership

Sanofi has renewed its partnership with Aviesan, the French National Alliance for Life Sciences and Health, for a further three years. The cooperation protocol was signed in 2010 and its aim is to contribute to the development of new treatments that target unmet medical needs, including those in the field of rare diseases. Special emphasis will be put on translational research projects that bring together clinical and medical teams with fundamental research teams to translate research successes into medical advances.

"As well as strengthening existing ties, this new agreement will allow us to explore other avenues of research. Translational research combines clinical and basic research, underscoring the critical importance of linking industrial and academic expertise."

Professor André Syrota, President of Aviesan.

Several projects under this new protocol are under discussion, including the creation of centers of excellence as part of future investments, particularly in collaboration with IHUs (University Hospital Institutes) and IRTs (Technological Research Institutes).

"With the signing of several projects between Sanofi and Aviesan during the past three years, Sanofi has become the leading private partner of academic research in the life sciences. Strategic and operational committees have worked tirelessly to achieve this convergence of the best in French academic excellence and our own teams. We all committed to pursuing these vital interactions in order to accelerate scientific discoveries for the benefit of patients."

Dr Elias Zerhouni, President, Global Research & Development, Sanofi.