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Lilly, Sanford-Burnham partner to develop new immunological therapies

Eli Lilly and Company and Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have entered into a collaboration agreement to discover and develop new immunological therapies.

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Both the parties will investigate potential therapeutics using biotechnology approaches in targeting multiple immune checkpoint modulators to treat immunological diseases including lupus, Sjögren’s Syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and other autoimmune disorders.

The research collaboration is driven by Lilly’s biotechnology capabilities and expertise in immunology, and the institute’s deep expertise in understanding the fundamental cellular pathways regulating the immune system focusing on the immune checkpoint networks.

The deal will be co-chaired by Lilly biotechnology and immunology research senior vice-president Thomas Bumol and Sanford-Burnham Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases Center director Carl Ware.

Bumol noted: "Immunology is an important research area of focus for Lilly, and through this exciting collaboration with Sanford-Burnham, our scientists can discover and develop new medicines together in a seamless way that takes advantage of each group in a family of key targets."

Sanford-Burnham CEO Perry Nisen said: "The Lilly-Sanford-Burnham collaboration is precedent setting in scope and its potential to advance discoveries to the patient more efficiently.

"By combining the deep knowledge of human biology and disease mechanisms among Sanford-Burnham scientists, in particular our expertise in the field of checkpoint regulators in the immune system, and Lilly’s leadership position in the development of biologics and large molecules, we are forging the path to develop the next generation of transformative treatments for autoimmune disease."

In recent years, Lilly has established its presence in immunology via its own R&D and collaborations, with seven molecules currently in the pipeline for conditions including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and inflammatory bowel disease.

In this area, Sanford-Burnham’s work focuses on cell communication pathways that control the development of lymphocytes, innate and adaptive immune responses, and inflammation.


Image: Lilly and Sanford-Burnham will use biotechnology approaches to develop new medicines to treat immunological diseases. Photo: courtesy of Baitong333/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.