BRIDGEWATER, N.J., April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN andNYSE: SNY) announced today that it has entered into a multi-year research collaboration agreement through the Stanford University Bio-X program that supports, organizes, and facilitates interdisciplinary, collaborative and innovative research projects in the early phases of development. The research collaboration was signed today by Dr. Paul Chew, Senior Vice President, U.S. Chief Science Officer and Chief Medical Officer, sanofi-aventis U.S. during a visit to Stanford.

Under the terms of the agreement, a Stanford Bio-X and sanofi-aventis Joint Steering Committee will fund up to five programs a year.  Sanofi-aventis may also host postdoctoral fellows at the company and sanofi-aventis scientists may also be invited by Stanford faculty to be visiting scholars and to pursue research collaborations at Stanford.  To further this exchange of ideas, sanofi-aventis will fund an annual research forum that will bring together sanofi-aventis and Bio-X researchers to share knowledge and perspectives on relevant scientific matters and to discuss research projects funded through the collaboration.  

"Our approach to research and development must ensure we are at the center of the most innovative science, whether inside our own walls or through external partnerships, in order to continue to advance scientific knowledge and address patients' unmet medical needs," said Dr. Chew.  "Stanford is a world-class institution and sanofi-aventis is delighted to collaborate with its team of scientists who share a common vision of developing healthcare solutions through scientific discoveries and innovation across various disciplines.   Bio-X researchers are exploring novel approaches needed in science today to accelerate the potential for scientific breakthroughs."

About sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone.  Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). For more information, please visit: www.sanofi-aventis.com.  

About the Bio-X program at Stanford University

Bio-X, a joint project of Stanford University's Schools of Humanities and Sciences, Engineering, Earth Sciences and Medicine, was created in 1998 to promote interdisciplinary research in the biosciences. A portal to the Stanford biosciences and bioengineering community, Bio-X is an interdisciplinary life sciences research program that combines biology/life sciences, engineering, computer science, clinicians/clinical research, law/ethics/mathematics/statistics and physical sciences. It has 450 affiliated faculty from 50 departments.  Stanford Bio-X, through its Interdisciplinary Initiatives Program (IIP) provides seed funding — about $3 million every other year in the form of two-year grants of $150,000 — to researchers from across campus.  From inception in 2000 through the fifth round in 2010, the IIP has provided early-stage funding to 113 projects involving more than 294 faculty from dozens of departments.  These projects have resulted in the development of new technologies and more than 30 filed patents.

Media contacts:
Elizabeth Baxter
U.S. R&D Communications
Tel: (908) 981-5360
E-mail: elizabeth.baxter@sanofi-aventis.com
Sanofi-aventis: www.sanofi-aventis.us
Media Relations: Tel. : 908-981-6010
E-mail:  us.media-relations@sanofi-aventis.com
Investor Relations: Tel. : 908-981-5560
E-mail: IR@sanofi-aventis.com

SOURCE sanofi-aventis