Sanofi ($SNY) is handing over a $15 million upfront payment along with promises of $20 million in precommercialization milestones to partner with Chapel Hill, NC-based Pozen ($POZN) on a pair of new-and-improved aspirins that avoid some common side effects. The therapies combine immediate-release omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, and enteric-coated aspirin in a single tablet, PA8140 and PA32540. The pharma giant gets U.S. commercialization rights in the deal. "The PA products have the potential to be an effective solution for the millions of patients at risk for gastric ulcers from chronic aspirin use in the prevention of secondary cardiovascular disease," said Sanofi's North American president, Anne Whitaker. Release