Sanofi Pasteur to Acquire VaxDesign, a U.S. biotechnology company

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group has signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of VaxDesign that develops, manufactures and markets in vitro models of the human immune system.

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) has signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of VaxDesign, a privately held U.S. biotechnology company, based in Orlando, Florida, that develops, manufactures and markets in vitro models of the human immune system.
VaxDesign is the developer of the Modular IMmune In-vitro Construct (MIMIC?) technology that melds immunology with engineering to find solutions to complex biological problems. The system is built to capture genetic and environmental diversity and based on data generated in a surrogate human immune system, provides earlier selection of the optimal product candidate as opposed to using animal models before studies in human clinical trials. MIMIC? will be relevant in the assessment of the value of Sanofi Pasteur's vaccine candidates, providing a key "filter" in the preclinical stage for a "go/no go" decision-making process before Phase I human clinical trials.