The research alliance between LIBD and UCB reflects UCB’s “open innovation” approach that aims to generate new knowledge and capitalize on external scientific advances and expertise that complement the company’s unique internal capabilities and skills.
UCB and LIBD will jointly generate novel lead compounds and further optimize them starting from chemical compounds provided by both partners. In addition, the specific interdisciplinary structure of LIBD will bring to the collaboration its unique expertise in translating basic research and drug discovery into effective clinical proof of concept.
Financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.
Ismail Kola, Executive Vice President, UCB & President, New Medicines, UCB said: “This new partnership combines UCB’s world-class Central Nervous System research teams with the Lieber Institute for Brain Development’s unique understanding of basic genetic and molecular mechanisms of developmental brain disorders. Together, the two parties will embark on a mission to discover new medicines that aim to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases.”
“The Lieber Institute for Brain Development was established with historic philanthropic investment to create a new landscape for research about developmental brain disorders and to translate our understanding into changing the lives of affected individuals,” said Daniel Weinberger, Director and CEO of LIBD. “The partnership with UCB will advance this mission by providing new tools for scientific discovery and by developing new therapeutic agents.”
