Bristol- Myers Squibb Company and Pierre Fabre Medicament jointly said they are ending licensing agreement for the development of vinflunine, a chemotherapy agent under investigation for the treatment of advanced or metastatic bladder cancer and other tumour types.

Vinflunine was developed by Pierre Fabre Medicament and licensed to Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2004 for specific territories. Based on a review of the clinical development program and the decision not to file a new drug application for bladder cancer in the United States, coupled with an analysis of Bristol-Myers Squibb's Research & Development priorities, the companies have jointly decided that all rights licensed to Bristol-Myers Squibb for vinflunine will be returned to Pierre Fabre Medicament.

"In Europe, Pierre Fabre Medicament intend to continue discussions with regulatory authorities and plan to file for the registration of vinflunine for bladder cancer in the first quarter of 2008," said P. Hurteloup, general manager, Pierre Fabre Medicament Oncology Division. "We also are considering a range of further development options, including pursuing the product on a worldwide basis for the treatment of a number of cancers."

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life.

Pierre Fabre Medicament is a French private group dedicated to consumers and patients from health to beauty.