The Institut Pasteur and Merieux Alliance Take First Step Towards a Long-Term Research Partnership in the Field of Infectious Diseases
have signed a letter of intent for a long-term research partnership.
The Institut Pasteur and Merieux Alliance (which comprises the companies:
bioMerieux, Transgene, Shantha Biotechnics, ABL and Silliker) would like to
pool their resources and efforts to fight infectious diseases through major
research projects, spanning the following fields:
- Clinical diagnostics and theranostics (in partnership with
bioMerieux and Transgene)
- Food safety and microbiological control, nutrition, health
and environment (with bioMerieux and Silliker)
- Immunotherapy (with Transgene and Shantha Biotechnics)
The research projects under consideration must focus on major pathologies
calling upon expertise in the fields of virology, bacteriology and
immunology. The results of these joint research projects could be utilized by
the Merieux Alliance companies and would enhance the Institut Pasteur’s
patent portfolio, contributing to the valorization of its research efforts.
This collaboration between a world-renowned scientific foundation and a
major bioindustrial group exemplifies the cross-disciplinary approach needed
to develop new solutions for fighting infectious diseases. It also represents
a new and significant milestone in the collaboration between the Institut
Pasteur and a group sharing Pasteurian roots, dedicated to biology and
serving public health worldwide.
The signature of this letter of intent follows an agreement signed
between the Institut Pasteur and the Fondation Merieux on
at encouraging collaboration in the fight against infectious diseases in
developing countries. This includes research to develop solutions adapted to
local constraints, interactions between the international network of Pasteur
institutes and the Fondation Merieux’s GABRIEL network and the coordination
of actions in the field.
“I am extremely pleased with this agreement with Merieux Alliance that
will contribute to improving public health worldwide,” stated Alice Dautry,
president of the Institut Pasteur. “Together, we want to develop innovative
approaches that will allow us, in the future, to win new battles against
disease.”
“I am happy to reinforce our innovation capabilities for major public
health issues through this agreement,” declared Alain Merieux, president of
Merieux Alliance. “Reconnecting with a long, Pasteurian family legacy, I am
certain that our work together will open new horizons for tomorrow’s
medicine.”
About Institut Pasteur
The Institut Pasteur is one of the world’s leading biomedical research
centre. Founded by Louis Pasteur in 1887, it is a private, non-profit
foundation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of diseases through
biological research, education and public-health activities. Close to 2,600
people work on its campus in
activities are devoted to infectious diseases and 10% focuses on AIDS
research. The
up that unites 30 institutes across all five continents. Over a period of 120
years, 10 Institut Pasteur researchers have received the Nobel Prize, the
latest of these in 2008, when it was awarded to Professors Francoise
Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier for the discovery of the Aids virus.
About Merieux Alliance
Drawing on a long tradition and renowned expertise in bioindustry,
Merieux Alliance, the family holding company of Alain Merieux, is dedicated
to constantly improving patient care worldwide by developing new
biotechnology-based solutions.
Merieux Alliance comprises five companies dedicated to public health that
span the full range of healthcare: prevention, diagnosis, prognosis,
treatment and clinical follow-up:
- bioMerieux, based in Marcy l'Etoile (France), which is 59%-controlled.
A worldwide group specialized in the field of in vitro diagnostics and
industrial microbiological testing;
- Silliker, based in Chicago (US), which is 89%-controlled. A network of
food testing and consulting laboratories;
- Shantha Biotechnics Ltd, based in Hyderabad (India), which is
80%-controlled. Specialized in developing and producing vaccines and
therapeutic proteins;
- Transgene, based in Strasbourg (France), which is 55%-controlled.
Dedicated to the development of therapeutic vaccines and
immunotherapeutic products in oncology and infectious diseases;
- ABL Inc (Advanced BioScience Laboratories), based in Washington D.C.
(US), which is 100%-owned. Specialized in virological research.
Under the leadership of Alain Merieux, 10,000 people worldwide are part
of Merieux Alliance. The group achieved consolidated revenues of
billion
http://www.merieux-alliance.com
SOURCE The Institut Pasteur and Merieux Alliance