Pharmaprojects R&D Pipeline News Feed
Sanofi-Aventis takes first step into the cancer vaccine arena
3rd Apr 2007
Sanofi-Aventis has entered into an exclusive global agreement to develop and commercialize TroVax, Oxford BioMedica's Phase III gene therapy-based anticancer vaccine, in a deal worth up to US $690 million.
TroVax is Oxford BioMedica's leading immunotherapeutic and uses a modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector to deliver the tumour-associated antigen 5T4 to generate an antitumour immune response. Although currently in Phase III development for renal cancer, the 5T4 gene is overexpressed in many common types of cancer, giving TroVax potential in lung, breast and prostate cancer. Indeed, based on results from 9 Phase I and II trials, more than 180 patients presenting various cancer types showed a greater than 95% response rate when treated with TroVax. With such promising results, Sanofi-Aventis seems to have strengthened its already broad expertise in oncology.
Signing up with such a major pharma company will prove highly advantageous to Oxford BioMedica, particularly with Sanofi's excellent track record in development and commercialization in cancer immunology. Professor Alan Kingsman, CEO of Oxford BioMedica, said that the company was "delighted" to join forces with Sanofi-Aventis.
Pharmaprojects holds data on 5 other gene therapy anticancers also in Phase III trials, of which one, Dong-A's CreaVax-RCC, is also under development for renal cancer. Cell Genesys' GVAX is currently in Phase II trials for this indication.
