On December 5, 2016 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global biopharmaceutical company, and Northwestern University reported they signed a five-year collaboration agreement with the goal of advancing research and discovery in oncology (Press release, AbbVie, DEC 5, 2016, View Source [SID1234516933]). Together, AbbVie and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University will work in several areas of oncology research, which in addition to others could include, lung, colorectal, breast, prostate and hematological cancer.

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"One of the best steps AbbVie can take to deliver new therapies in oncology is to combine our research and discovery expertise with the talents and insight of our colleagues in academic medicine," said Gary Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, oncology clinical development, AbbVie. "The opportunity to work with leading researchers and clinicians from the Lurie Cancer Center enhances AbbVie’s ability to help oncology patients even more in the future."

The collaboration provides Lurie Cancer Center scientists with the opportunity to access new therapies developed by AbbVie for preclinical research funded under the agreement. Lurie Cancer Center scientists will also work closely with AbbVie’s research teams to support scientific knowledge exchange. In addition, the agreement provides AbbVie with the option to obtain an exclusive license of certain Lurie Cancer Center discoveries made as a result of the five-year collaboration.

"The ability to investigate new therapeutic agents with AbbVie provides us with a great opportunity to expand our translational oncology efforts," said Leonidas C. Platanias, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Lurie Cancer Center. "Our partnership with AbbVie will facilitate and accelerate the development of innovative new therapies against a wide variety of different cancers."

A joint steering committee comprised of representatives from both organizations will determine the research projects that the collaboration will undertake. Researchers from AbbVie and the Lurie Cancer Center will also hold a symposium at least once each year to discuss their joint research and potential ideas for new research projects.