Gaithersburg, MD and Manchester, UK – February 5, 2015. MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, and the Centre of Excellence in Biopharmaceuticals (COEBP) at The University of Manchester today announced that they have entered into a new research collaboration to generate cutting-edge protein formulation science. Protein formulation is one of the critical steps in developing a protein therapeutic as a clinical product which can be administered to a patient. The four-year, multi-project collaboration will enhance research supporting new and more robust formulation approaches for antibodies and novel proteins.
As part of the collaboration, MedImmune will work with COEBP researchers on testing and understanding the fundamental principles of protein solution behavior in order to find better ways to administer breakthrough medicines to patients. MedImmune will provide funding and in-kind contributions to support several University of Manchester post-doctoral research projects addressing challenges in protein antibody formulation such as the need for ultra-high concentration liquid formulations and room temperature stable products. Specific projects will be selected by a Joint Steering Committee for their suitability in generating breakthrough research. COEBP researchers will have access to state-of-art laboratory facilities both at MedImmune’s Cambridge, UK location and The University of Manchester.
“We are excited to enter into this novel partnership with the COEBP, one of the world leading groups in biopharmaceutical development,” said Gail Wasserman, Senior Vice President, Biopharmaceutical Development, MedImmune. “Through this collaboration, we hope to deepen our knowledge of the underlying protein formulation science and increase our capability to deliver formulations that will help transform the best protein molecules into the best potential treatments for patients.”
This new collaboration complements AstraZeneca’s existing partnership with The University of Manchester in cancer drug discovery through the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, as well as collaborations with the Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research (with GlaxoSmithKline) and The North West Centre for Advanced Drug Delivery.
“We look forward to working with MedImmune to generate exciting breakthrough science together in this important research field,” says Professor Alan Dickson, Head of the COEBP at The University of Manchester. “Our collaboration will form a distinct, vibrant scientific community, with the aim to formulate products more intelligently and innovatively and ensure accelerated development of key medicines.”
– ENDS –
NOTES TO EDITORS
About The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester, a member of the prestigious Russell Group of British universities, is the largest and most popular university in the UK. It has 20 academic schools and hundreds of specialist research groups undertaking pioneering multi-disciplinary teaching and research of worldwide significance.
The University of Manchester is one of the country’s major research institutions, rated fifth in the UK in terms of ‘research power’ (REF 2014), and has had no fewer than 25 Nobel laureates either work or study there. The University had an annual income of £886 million in 2013/14. www.manchester.ac.uk
About MedImmune
MedImmune is the worldwide biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca. MedImmune is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across key therapeutic areas, including respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity; cardiovascular and metabolic disease; oncology; neuroscience; and infection and vaccines. The MedImmune headquarters is located in Gaithersburg, Md., one of AstraZeneca’s three global R&D centres. For more information, please visit www.medimmune.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
The University of Manchester
Morwenna Grills
Morwenna.Grills@manchester.ac.uk
+44 (0)161 275 2111
MedImmune
Susannah Budington
budingtons@medimmune.com
(301) 980-7482
Tracy Rossin
rossint@medimmune.com
(301) 398-1468
AstraZeneca
Karen Birmingham
Karen.birmingham@astrazeneca.com
+44 20 7604 8120
Help employers find you! Check out all the jobs and post your resume.
