Sanofi-aventis announced the signature of a strategic research alliance agreement with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California.

The goal of the research collaboration, which will be known as the 'sanofi-aventis Bioengineering Research Programme at the California Institute of Technology' (SABER), is to advance knowledge in the area of human health through basic and applied biology research and to promote scientific exchange between Caltech and sanofi-aventis. The terms of the agreement are undisclosed.

“This strategic research alliance should significantly complement our research technologies and is a renewed example to partnership with best sciences,” said Marc Cluzel, executive vice-president, R&D, sanofi-aventis.

The research programme will provide financial support for several core facilities for up to five years, including the Kavli Nanosciences Institute, the Molecular Observatory and the Biological Imaging Center, all located at Caltech. It will also provide flexible financial support to individual Caltech scientists, via bioengineering annual awards (BEA’s), to accelerate innovative research projects.

“We are pleased to share our expertise and commitment to research with sanofi-aventis. We believe this collaboration will lead to discoveries that one day may improve human health,” stated Stephen Mayo, Caltech vice provost and Bren professor of Biology and Chemistry.

Caltech is recognized for its highly select student body of 900 undergraduates and 1,200 graduate students, and for its outstanding faculty.