AbbVie and UChicago Extend Collaboration to Support Preclinical Oncology Research
The University of Chicago and AbbVie in 2016 entered into a collaboration agreement that has been extended to 2025 with the goal of improving the pace of discovery and advancing medical research at both organizations. (Photo by Drone Media Chicago)
The University of Chicago and AbbVie have announced an extended collaboration agreement through 2025 to support preclinical oncology research.
To date, the collaboration has led to novel insights related to biomarkers and therapeutic applications for existing AbbVie programs. This has included the development of novel drug delivery approaches to enhance anti-tumor immune response and incorporating unique 3D screening methodologies for selecting novel therapeutic molecules.
“Our oncology collaboration with the University of Chicago enables us to combine our expertise in understanding the underlying biology in key areas of interest, such as immuno-oncology, oncogenic pathways, and biomarkers of drug sensitivity or disease,” said Steve Davidsen, Vice President, Oncology Discovery Research at AbbVie. “This effort drives towards a common goal of accelerating discovery efforts and delivering novel therapies to people living with cancer.”
Continuing the intent of the initial research collaboration, the extension of the collaboration is designed to further accelerate and advance medical research in oncology at both organizations.
Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD
“Our ambition is that the clinical and translational collaboration between AbbVie and the University of Chicago continues to impact public health positively,” said Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, AbbVie Foundation Director, University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. “The collaboration has created valuable opportunities for scientific exchange and the development of clinical trials for cancer research.”
Odunsi, who also is the Dean for Oncology within the University’s Biological Sciences Division and an AbbVie Foundation Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, joined UChicago Medicine in March of this year following a $10 million grant from the AbbVie Foundation to support scientific and educational activities at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“We look forward to more discoveries together in the years to come.”
– Juan de Pablo, University of Chicago Vice President for National Laboratories, Science Strategy, Innovation, and Global Initiatives.
“The extension of our agreement will continue to provide faculty and students with opportunities to work with colleagues at a global biopharmaceutical leader and translate their findings from the lab into the real world,” added de Pablo. “It will enable the kind of preclinical research that is needed to help lay the foundations for better approaches and treatments with the goal to ultimately improve quality of life for patients.”
Under the agreement, the organizations will continue working together to advance research in several areas, focusing on oncology, and AbbVie gains an option for an exclusive license to certain University of Chicago discoveries made as part of the collaboration.
“We are thrilled to renew this scientific relationship with AbbVie, which leverages the strength of two great organizations and their highly skilled people. We look forward to new discoveries and developments to improve the care and treatment of cancer patients,” added Walter Stadler, Dean of Clinical Research at UChicago.
“Collaborations between academia and industry help support faculty and student researchers advance their work – moving breakthrough discoveries from the lab to the market, and, most importantly, bring new treatments to the patients who need them,” said Jay Schrankler, associate vice president and head of the University’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “AbbVie has been an important partner for us and their commitment highlights the University’s position as a leader in clinical and basic research, which is at the foundation of all life-changing innovation.”