Sanofi and the Joslin Diabetes Centre, a teaching and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School, has entered into a new collaboration  to promote the development of new medicines for the treatment of diabetes and related disorders. The collaboration was unveiled at the 2012 Bio International Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.

Building on Joslin’s experience in diabetes research and care, the collaboration will focus on four key areas within diabetes and related metabolic disorders to identify potential new biologics or small drug candidates for the treatment of late complications of diabetes and new insulin analogs with more targeted efficacy. Additionally, research will address the challenges of insulin resistance and personalized medicine, with the overall aim of improving the lives of people living with diabetes.

Dr Elias Zerhouni, president, Global R&D, Sanofi, commented: “This collaboration brings together two important forces in diabetes therapy – Sanofi Diabetes and Joslin Diabetes Centre – which have the potential to define new pathways towards better understanding the nature of this disease and developing new treatments. This collaboration further demonstrates Sanofi’s commitment to improving diabetes management and care through the development of innovative research strategies.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi has options to commercialize the results of the research. Both parties will have access to intellectual property for internal research use.

C Ronald Kahn, MD, Mary K Iacocca Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and chief academic officer of Joslin Diabetes Centre, who will head the alliance team, added: “This opportunity brings together experts from the pharmaceutical industry with our team of scientists and clinicians, who are devoted to research and clinical care for diabetes and related metabolic disorders. The result should be a very exciting collaboration with great potential for innovative research that will participate to advance diabetes treatment and patient care.”

Financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.

Joslin Diabetes Center is the world’s leading diabetes research and clinical care organization. At Joslin, the world’s best researchers and clinicians prevent, treat and strive to cure diabetes and its complications.

Sanofi strives to help people manage the complex challenge of diabetes by delivering innovative, integrated and personalized solutions. Driven by valuable insights that come from listening to and engaging with people living with diabetes, the Company is forming partnerships to offer diagnostics, therapies, services, and devices including innovative blood glucose monitoring systems.

Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme.