Last checked at 
LONDON (Alliance News) - Cell therapy group Oxford Biomedica PLC said on Thursday that French pharmaceutical company Sanofi SA, will find a new partner for Oxford's outlicensed ophthalmology gene therapies, following a portfolio review.
The gene therapies affected are SAR422459 for Stargardt disease and SAR421869 for Usher's Syndrome type 1b.
Sanofi will continue with its phase one to two proof-of-concept study with SAR422459, but discontinue developing SAR421869. Sanofi is in discussions with external partners to continue further development of both these programmes.
Both therapies are related to a development and commercialisation licence agreement Oxford Biomedica signed with Sanofi in 2009.
Oxford said its agreement with Sanofi's company Bioverativ for the development of lentiviral vectors to treat haemophilia, remained unaffected by the portfolio review.
"We remain supportive of Sanofi's ongoing efforts to ensure the future development of SAR422459 and SAR421869. These important gene therapy programmes have the potential to provide one-time treatments for two ophthalmology indications with unmet medical needs and we are ready to support their transition to a new partner," said Chief Executive Officer John Dawson.
Shares in Oxford Biomedica were down 2.6% at 696.12 pence on Thursday.