Sanofi-aventis 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 cancer stem 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.
Dr Qi-Min Zhan, Vice President Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said, “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 initiatives.”
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.