IDM Pharma and sanofi-aventis end venture

Following discussions with US-based IDM Pharma, sanofi-aventis has decided to discontinue participation in the development of UVIDEM, its investigational therapy being studied for the treatment of melanoma. All rights to the product revert to IDM Pharma.

IDM Pharma, located in Irvine, California, is focused on the development of innovative cancer products that either destroy cancer cells by activating the immune system. UVIDEM is a therapeutic specific immunostimulant developed by IDM Pharma in partnership with sanofi-aventis. It has been administered to 143 patients in clinical development.

IDM Pharma says it expects to restructure, which it anticipates will involve job cuts. The company's restructuring plan is expected to be finalised during the first quarter of 2008.

The company expects to retain a core team in key functional areas and, as part of its previously announced strategic initiatives, will continue to evaluate the UVIDEM clinical programme, which recently completed Phase 2 studies with promising results.

The changes will mean IDM Pharma will have full rights to its product candidates including mifamurtide (L-MTP-PE), IDM-2101 and UVIDEM and the restructuring will enable the company to significantly reduce its infrastructure and operating expenses.

"These decisions provide the company with increased flexibility in our assessment of strategic options," said Timothy Walbert, president and chief executive of IDM Pharma. "In addition, we are continuing to pursue potential regulatory approvals for mifamurtide (L-MTP-PE) and the possible further clinical development of IDM-2101."

The company will work with sanofi-aventis to conclude the UVIDEM collaboration within the three month timeframe prescribed in their agreement.