Sanofi has inked a two-year oncology research collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital aimed at "furthering translational medicine research to develop new treatments for various types of hematological malignancies and solid tumours".

The partners plan to share "scientific expertise, R&D capabilities and resources to execute joint projects". The collaboration, the financial terms for which were not disclosed, will initially involve two early-development molecules for various types of advanced tumours.

R&D chief Elias Zerhouni said that "as we build our R&D presence in the Boston area, Sanofi is becoming part of the region's vibrant biomedical ecosystem, expanding our network beyond our own walls through innovative collaborations with top external research teams". He added that the pact with MGH "exemplifies how we are leveraging these relationships in a translational and experimental medicine approach to drug discovery and clinical development".

Jeffrey Engelman at the MGH Cancer Center, claimed that oncology research "is at a critical point right now", adding that "the creativity and innovative thinking that can come from collaborations between academic medical centres and industry will help transform ideas and early drug development".