Ascenta Therapeutics has signed a global collaboration and licensing agreement with Sanofi-Aventis for several early-stage drug candidates being investigated for their potential to restore tumor cell apoptosis (programmed cell death). These orally-active, small-molecule drug candidates inhibit the interaction between HDM2 (Human Double Minute 2) and p53, removing a block to normal p53 tumor suppressor function and potentially enhancing cancer control and treatment. The agreement includes two ...