Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi-Aventis, announced a research and development collaboration with the University of California, San Diego on an immunological approach to acne prevention and treatment targeting the specific neutralization of Propionibacterium acnes factors in inflammation. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The agreement includes a two-year research collaboration with Dr. Chun-Ming Huang and his associates at UC San Diego School of Medicine for further research and development.

According to Sanofi Pasteur's estimates, the annual worldwide market for acne therapeutics is in excess of $3 billion.

Elias Zerhouni, president, Global Research & Development, Sanofi, said, "This opportunity could provide an immunotherapeutic product with significant benefits and a novel mechanism of action to address an unmet medical need. This investigational vaccine and treatment may lead to a better solution for the many who suffer from this skin disease."