4. Sanofi-Aventis and Oxford BioMedica

Who: Sanofi-Aventis
With: Oxford BioMedica
What: $690 million licensing deal

Summary: Sanofi-Aventis hopped on the cancer vaccine bandwagon when it inked a $690 million licensing deal for Oxford BioMedica's TroVax. Oxford BioMedica is slated to get $39 million up front and $25 million payments as targets are hit. The deal includes additional payments if TroVax goes on to win approval for multiple indications--TroVax is currently in Phase III for renal cancer, but the company is exploring its utility in a range of cancers including colorectal, lung, breast and prostate cancer. The Sanofi/Oxford BioMedica pact is an example of big pharma's interest in cancer vaccines. Release

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