Sanofi Announces $2.5 Million Contribution to Dementia Research

Major five-year grant with Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) will fund transformative research into disease prevention and treatment

MONTREAL, Sept. 10, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY)  announced today its $2.5 million contribution to co-fund the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), a partnership officially launched in Montreal today in the presence of The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health.

With the mandate to structure Canadian efforts in neurodegenerative diseases affecting cognition in aging, including Alzheimer's disease, the CCNA will bring together 20 research teams whose work will generate bold and transformative ideas to prevent and treat conditions that could affect as many as 1.4 million Canadians by 2031^[1].

Sanofi is proud to be the only Global R&D biopharmaceutical industry partner of this Canadian-led international collaborative research strategy.

"Collaboration and partnership are critical for success in any R&D endeavor. The CCNA's broad translational platform will lead to a new, deeper understanding of all dementias, which will help us to accelerate drug development in this area and meet patients' needs" says Dr. Andrew Plump, Deputy Head of Research and Translational Medicine at Sanofi. "Millions of lives will be affected by this work worldwide, and we are both honoured and excited to be a part of this venture."

The company's $2.5 million contribution will directly fund research teams focused on two of the CCNA's key themes: the prevention of cognitive impairment and treatments to delay the clinical manifestations of dementia.

In addition, Sanofi's funding will back multiple scientific platforms, such as brain imaging and biomarkers, which will support both themes of prevention and treatment and help design future clinical trials.

"Canada has an international reputation for its work in neuroscience, and the research carried out by the teams funded by the CCNA will have a significant global impact," says Franca Mancino, Vice-President of Medical and Regulatory Affairs at Sanofi Canada. "The commitment from our Global organization to invest in research in Canada is a testament to the quality and expertise of the researchers involved in neurodegenerative diseases and the vast network of clinical centers that exist in Canada."

Through its partnership with the CCNA, Sanofi will have the opportunity to accelerate its own efforts in disease biology, through basic science work aimed at better understanding the cause of the disease and identifying meaningful therapeutic targets.

About Sanofi

Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi entities in Canada include Sanofi Canada (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (cosmeceuticals, over-the-counter products and specialty care), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ close to 1,700 people across the country. In 2013 Sanofi companies invested over $125 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country. www.sanofi.ca

Follow Sanofi Canada on Twitter @SanofiCanada.

^[1] Facts About Dementia. Alzheimer's Society Canada (06/20/14). http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/About-dementia/Dementias/What-is-dementia/Facts-about-dementia

SOURCE: Sanofi Canada

Nadia Rahman, Communications, Sanofi Canada, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]; Kristin Gable, NATIONAL Public Relations, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]