GUILDFORD, England, December 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi-aventis and Oxford University have entered into an agreement to conduct multi-phase oncology clinical and translational research with INDOX, India's leading academic oncology network. Through this partnership, sanofi-aventis will have access to the expertise and experience of India's top oncologists and scientists to conduct clinical research to the highest internationally recognised ethical standards.

"The collaboration between sanofi-aventis, Oxford University and the Indian Cancer Centers fosters a model for academic researchers and industry to work together for the benefit of patients," said Debasish Roychowdhury, MD, Senior Vice President, Head of Oncology, sanofi-aventis. "This relationship not only helps to train the next generation of cancer researchers in India, but also allows sanofi-aventis to efficiently develop drugs in the premier cancer centers in India, which also provides access to anticancer drugs to help patients fight their cancer."

"We are excited about the opportunity to work with sanofi-aventis to advance cancer research and to validate targets more quickly and efficiently to shorten the time it takes to move a molecule from laboratory to clinic," said Professor David Kerr, Professor of Cancer Medicine, University of Oxford & co-chair of the INDOX scientific review board.

According to the agreement, sanofi-aventis will provide financial support to Oxford University to manage the INDOX network of eight leading cancer-research centers across India. The University will provide training and support to investigators and research coordinators to help ensure that each center has the capacity, expertise and infrastructure to perform early- through late-stage and post-marketing clinical trials according to ICH/GCP standards.

"INDOX was set up to be an equal partnership between Oxford University and leading academic centres in India. The Indian and British researchers both have important strengths and skills, and by sharing these and working together, we believe we can achieve more," said Dr Raghib Ali, Director of INDOX, University of Oxford.

"At sanofi-aventis, we are increasingly focused on new approaches to meet the unmet medical needs of cancer patients. Sanofi-aventis India will actively collaborate with INDOX team to help build clinical research capabilities in the field of Oncology in our country. We are excited by this unique partnership which will eventually benefit the cancer patients in India," said Shailesh Ayyangar, Managing Director India and Vice President (South Asia), Global Operations, sanofi-aventis.