French biotech AB Science goes to law

French biotechnology company AB Science is taking legal action against an official research funding body, Medicen, after the latter refused support for a drug R&D project for the fourth time (Marketletter May 21).

ABS was set up in 2001 and develops tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which can be used in the treatment of forms of cancer and a number of neurological and inflammatory conditions. The company first applied for funding in 2005 but received no response. The second application met with a request for an audit which was completed, after which the project was rejected on the grounds that it did not involve partners and was not a collaboration. The next application with a partner had to undergo an audit and was then rejected after a new audit.

Alain Moussy, chief executive of ABS, said there has been a lack of clarity in the criteria and claimed the decision had been based on reasons which themselves had evolved over the period of dealing with the application. ABS's lawyer, Alexander Brabant, said the refusals had scant basis, since ABS had taken time and spent money to match the project to the criteria.