Joslin Diabetes Center Announces Extended Collaboration With Sanofi For The Development Of Novel Treatments For Diabetes Complications

Collaboration will leverage new pathways from studies of the Joslin 50-Year Medalists and other unique biobanks

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Joslin Diabetes Center, a research and clinical affiliate of Harvard Medical School, today announced a newly signed collaboration with Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) which extends their ongoing collaboration in exploring novel targets for treatment of diabetes. The parties will direct joint efforts on research and development of new therapeutic options for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, and explore implications of diabetes on cardiovascular disease. The announcement was made ahead of the 2016 American Diabetes Association sessions in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“We value our strategic alliance with Sanofi in advancing Joslin’s discoveries towards novel treatments”

According to George L. King, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Joslin, “The Joslin 50-Year Medalist Study has given us valuable insights into new approaches to patients who are protected from diabetes complications such as nephropathy, and our research may point to a number of new pathways for drug targets.”

The Joslin 50-Year Medalist Study, led by Dr. King, is following 1000+ individuals who have received a Joslin Medal for surviving fifty or more years with type 1 diabetes, to determine factors that have allowed many of them to be resistant to the ravaging effects of diabetes.

“We are excited to continue our work with Sanofi,” said Dr. King. “Nephropathy is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, and we look forward to applying our discoveries to the development of new treatments.”

Dr. Philip Just Larsen, M.D. and Vice President, Sanofi Diabetes R&D added, “Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease and diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with diabetes. Our partnership with Joslin underscores our commitment to research in areas of yet insufficient treatment options to deliver integrated care for better patient outcome.”

This collaboration builds on the success of a long-standing relationship between Joslin and Sanofi. In continuing this collaboration, they have chosen diabetic complications as the focus of this phase of their work together. In this new agreement, Joslin and Sanofi will also explore new targets that may decrease cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients, which is being led by Alessandro Doria, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor and Senior Investigator at Joslin.

“We value our strategic alliance with Sanofi in advancing Joslin’s discoveries towards novel treatments,” said Nandan Padukone, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Global Head, Innovation at Joslin. “Joslin will continue our strong emphasis on partnerships with industry and developing ventures that will build our technology portfolio and help people with diabetes live long, healthy lives.”

Financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.

About Joslin Diabetes Center

Joslin Diabetes Center is world-renowned for its deep expertise in diabetes treatment and research. Joslin is dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes and ensuring that people with diabetes live long, healthy lives. We develop and disseminate innovative patient therapies and scientific discoveries throughout the world. Joslin is an independent, non-profit institution affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and an NIH-funded Diabetes Research Center in the U.S.