A Shot In The Arm To Fight Skin Cancer

Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 16 Jan 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Skin cancer patient Debra Gardocki receives an injection from oncologist Dr. Sanjiv Agarwala as part of a study exploring a new approach to treat advanced melanoma -- an often fatal form of cancer for which there are limited effective treatment options. The study -- which is taking place at up to 25 centers across the United States and Canada -- includes combining a therapeutic cancer vaccine along with more traditional immune therapies.

Therapeutic cancer vaccines are uniquely designed to stimulate the body's own defenses -- the immune system -- to find and fight cancer cells. The vaccine is designed to treat existing cancer rather than prevent it from developing. Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, has invested more than five years of work to develop this vaccine regimen and bring it to clinical trials.

About Sanofi Aventis

Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, provided more than 1.6 billion doses of vaccine in 2007, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, sanofi pasteur offers the broadest range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR1 million in research and development. For more information, please visit: http://www.sanofipasteur.com.

Sanofi Pasteur
http://www.sanofipasteur.com

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