Brain power: UCB joins forces with Harvard
Posted by
13-Jul-2011
Yes, it may sound like the opening line of an old joke, but the answer is – a world-class research alliance ready to uncover new ways of treating serious diseases. This week in Boston, UCB signed a novel partnership with Harvard University, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium.
It’s a pretty big deal. The new alliance creates a unique drug discovery bridge between industry and academia. It pairs Harvard’s long-standing excellence in medical research with UCB’s expertise in drug development. It’s about collaboration, it’s about innovation, it’s about sharing ideas.
As Ismail Kola, President of UCB New Medicines put it:
“Harvard’s world-class academic research is an excellent fit with UCB’s world-class antibody research and central nervous system (CNS) pharmacology. Both parties will learn from each other through the collaboration and a two-way exchange of ideas. Harvard will benefit from UCB’s strengths and industry experience in drug discovery and development; while Harvard’s exceptional research will complement UCB’s internal expertise.’’
Harvard University was equally pleased with the new partnership and the promise of new medicines that comes with it. Isaac T. Kohlberg, Harvard’s Chief Technology Development Officer and head of its Office of Technology Development, said:
“We couldn't be more pleased about entering into this innovative collaboration with UCB, which joins together leaders in academia and industry to advance pioneering research from the lab to the clinic.”
Harvard has a deep commitment to collaborating with industry to push the boundaries of translational research in ways that will change the lives of patients.
For its part, UCB brings expertise in antibody generation and medicinal chemistry and will provide up to $6 million over two years to fund specific innovative research projects led by Harvard scientists. The collaboration focuses on central nervous system (CNS) and immunology, two key research domains for UCB.
The first research project funded under the Harvard-UCB alliance aims to generate and develop antibodies against an exciting target with potential application in a range of diseases including diabetes and metabolic disorders.
The research alliance announcement in Boston coincided with UCB’s presence at the BIO International Convention – the global event for biotechnology which took place in Washington D.C.
It’s a pretty big deal. The new alliance creates a unique drug discovery bridge between industry and academia. It pairs Harvard’s long-standing excellence in medical research with UCB’s expertise in drug development. It’s about collaboration, it’s about innovation, it’s about sharing ideas.
As Ismail Kola, President of UCB New Medicines put it:
“Harvard’s world-class academic research is an excellent fit with UCB’s world-class antibody research and central nervous system (CNS) pharmacology. Both parties will learn from each other through the collaboration and a two-way exchange of ideas. Harvard will benefit from UCB’s strengths and industry experience in drug discovery and development; while Harvard’s exceptional research will complement UCB’s internal expertise.’’
Harvard University was equally pleased with the new partnership and the promise of new medicines that comes with it. Isaac T. Kohlberg, Harvard’s Chief Technology Development Officer and head of its Office of Technology Development, said:
“We couldn't be more pleased about entering into this innovative collaboration with UCB, which joins together leaders in academia and industry to advance pioneering research from the lab to the clinic.”
Harvard has a deep commitment to collaborating with industry to push the boundaries of translational research in ways that will change the lives of patients.
For its part, UCB brings expertise in antibody generation and medicinal chemistry and will provide up to $6 million over two years to fund specific innovative research projects led by Harvard scientists. The collaboration focuses on central nervous system (CNS) and immunology, two key research domains for UCB.
The first research project funded under the Harvard-UCB alliance aims to generate and develop antibodies against an exciting target with potential application in a range of diseases including diabetes and metabolic disorders.
The research alliance announcement in Boston coincided with UCB’s presence at the BIO International Convention – the global event for biotechnology which took place in Washington D.C.
Leave a Comment