Sanofi-aventis Initiates Research Collaboration in China in the Cancer Stem-Cell Field
PARIS, France - September 14, 2007 - Sanofi-aventis announced today that it has signed a collaboration agreement with the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China, recommended by the Central Chinese Authorities, in order to capitalize on the increasing evidence of the role of cancerstem cells.
The purpose of this agreement is the isolation of acute myeloid leukemia stem cells and the generation of monoclonal antibodies against these cells. Such antibodies would serve as valuable vectors to study these rare cells and may become the basis for new therapeutic strategies.
During a signing ceremony held in Beijing, China, Dr. Qi-Min Zhan, Vice President Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences declared: “This collaboration with a large and well-known pharmaceutical company is a significant progress for the academy; it clearly demonstrates that the work of our scientists on the leading-edge of cancer research is acknowledged. We actively encourage many more such initiativesâ€.
The Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Tianjin, China is one of the largest of its kind in China and has been treating patients with blood diseases for many decades.
Sanofi-aventis has implemented a significant presence in China and is conducting many clinical trials in this country.
About Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) was initially founded in 1906 as the Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), which was the joint project from the then-Chinese government and several British and American religious groups (thus the term "Union"). In 1917, it was re-organized with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation. In 1956, PUMC was affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), which had been established in that year.
Today, CAMS is a prestigious comprehensive academy of medical sciences combining clinical practice and medical education in China. Numerous first-class medical scientists, medical educators and scientific research personnel are on the Academy staff. Currently, there are 18 institutes, 5 branch institutes, 7 affiliated hospitals and 5 colleges in the CAMS.
The Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital in Tianjin is one of the institutions affiliated to the CAMS.
About sanofi-aventis
Sanofi-aventis is one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organisation, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine and vaccines. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
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