Epistem, Sanofi Enter Research Pact

Epistem has entered into a three-year collaboration with Sanofi-aventis U.S., Inc. for the use of Epistem’s biomarker gene expression profiling and immunohistochemistry technologies. Epistem will provide discovery through to clinical biomarker support for Sanofi’s oncology programs. Epistem may receive as much as $4 million in research support payments including certain cost reimbursement.

The collaboration is expected to establish a biomarker strategy aimed at identifying biological responses to drugs in relevant tissues. Activities will cover preclinical, ex vivo and clinical support.

Matthew Walls chief executive officer of Epistem, said, “We are excited at the prospect of working across a range of oncology programs and of applying our technology in collaboration with the team at Sanofi-aventis. This collaboration represents an important milestone for the Company as we continue to exploit our biomarker technologies which are well positioned to support and streamline the drug development process.”