Sanofi sees room for multiple Avastin rivals

By Sam Cage

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sanofi-Aventis SA (SASY.PA) sees space in the market for several rivals to Roche Holding AG (ROG.VX) and Genentech Inc's DNA.N blockbuster cancer drug Avastin, Sanofi's head of oncology said on Wednesday.

The experimental Sanofi drug aflibercept belongs to the same class of drugs as Avastin, known as anti-angiogenesis agents, which work by blocking the blood supply to tumors.

"You cannot predict what will be exactly the future. We definitely need several drugs in the field of anti-angiogenetic agents," Alain Herrera, Sanofi's vice president for global oncology, told the Reuters Health Summit in New York.

Analysts expect Avastin -- which is approved for treatment of colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer -- to be one of the world's biggest selling drugs in the years ahead, but it faces competition from a clutch of products that work in a similar way.

Aflibercept is in late-stage trials and Sanofi anticipates its first regulatory filing in 2008, for treatment of advanced ovarian cancer.

Sanofi has yet to compare its product directly with Avastin but could run a head-to-head clinical trial if aflibercept looks like it might be more effective in a particular indication.

"We will generate data in indications in which Avastin is already registered or has demonstrated activity. And if it makes sense, if we can expect a better patient benefit with aflibercept compared to Avastin, we will do the head-to-head trial," he said.

"If we are convinced that this drug can bring a better patient benefit, we will do it."

Sanofi's oncology portfolio currently accounts for 13 percent to 15 percent of the company's total sales, and that proportion should increase if its new cancer drugs prove themselves, Herrera said.

Sales of Roche's Avastin rose 41 percent in the first nine months of this year to 2.97 billion Swiss francs ($2.65 billion).

(Editing by John Wallace)