Sanofi-aventis has entered into a collaboration with Columbia University Medical Center to develop diabetes drugs, according to PharmaTimes.

The three-year pact, which is specifically with the laboratory of Gerard Karsenty, will investigate the role of the osteoblast-secreted peptide, osteocalcin, in diabetes management.

Sanofi says Karsenty’s recent research "opened the door for an entirely new area of exploration for novel pathways, targets and therapies directed toward metabolic disorders, including diabetes."  As part of the deal, Sanofi will sponsor research in Karsenty's lab and has an option to license existing patents and results that may arise from the research into potential diabetes treatments. Financial terms have not been disclosed.