NEWS / COMMUNIQUÉS
The Institut Pasteur and Mérieux Alliance take First Step Towards a Long-term Research Partnership in the Field of Infectious Diseases
Paris (France) - May 18, 2009 - The Institut Pasteur and Mérieux Alliance
have signed a letter of intent for a long-term research partnership.
The Institut Pasteur and Mérieux Alliance (which comprises the companies:
bioMérieux, 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 bioMérieux and Transgene)
- Food safety and microbiological control, nutrition, health and environment (with bioMérieux 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 Mérieux 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 Mérieux on April 14th, aimed 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 Mérieux’s GABRIEL network and the coordination of actions in the field.
"I am extremely pleased with this agreement with Mérieux
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 Mérieux, president of
Mérieux Alliance. "Reconnecting with a long, Pasteurian family legacy,
I am certain that our work together will open new horizons for tomorrow’s medicine."
www.pasteur.fr
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