Vernalis plc and Servier, France’s largest privately-owned pharmaceutical company, today announce the extension of an ongoing oncology collaboration following success during its initial three-year term.  As previously announced in May 2007, this collaboration focuses on two undisclosed oncology targets.

Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis, commented “This news is an endorsement of our joint achievements during the past three years and we look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with Servier.”

Bernard Marchand, PhD, Director of Servier Research added “We are very satisfied with the progress of this collaboration on two promising oncology targets involving protein-protein interactions. Such extension should allow us to finalise the discovery of innovative compounds with potential use in therapeutic indications with high unmet medical need. Cancer represents a major cause of mortality worldwide and Servier is committed to providing patients with novel therapeutic approaches for treating this devastating disease”.