Harvard University, UCB enter innovative research collaboration

UCBJun 30 2011

The Alliance creates a unique drug discovery bridge between industry and academia, with Harvard scientists continuing their research that holds potential for the development of new therapeutic modalities in clinical medicine. The strategy underlying the collaborative alliance is to advance ongoing Harvard research projects along the drug development pathway.

"Harvard's world-class academic research is an excellent fit with UCB's world-class antibody research and central nervous system (CNS) pharmacology," said Ismail Kola, President of UCB NewMedicines. "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.''

The first research project funded under the Harvard-UCB alliance is a collaboration with Professor Gokhan S. Hotamisligil, M.D., Ph.D., Chair, Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, to generate and develop antibodies against an exciting target with potential application in a range of diseases including diabetes and metabolic disorders.

"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," said Isaac T. Kohlberg, Harvard's Chief Technology Development Officer and head of its Office of Technology Development. "In furtherance of our mission to serve the public interest, Harvard has a deep and abiding commitment to collaborate with industry in ways that push the boundaries of translational research and seek to develop next generation therapies that will make a difference in the lives of patients. Our collaboration with UCB is an ideal example of how we advance these goals."

UCB will bring its expertise in antibody generation and medicinal chemistry into the alliance 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.