UCB, Harvard extend research collaboration

The research agreement includes a collaboration with the laboratory of Junying Yuan,Professor of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School.

The School aims at translating and developing small molecule compounds for induction of autophagy, with potential applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Autophagy is a mechanism the cell uses to auto-digest intracellular components which is an evolutionarily conserved catabolic process, mediating the turnover of malfunctioning, aged or damaged proteins and organelles within cells.

Autophagy is seen as an important regulator of many critical biological processes.

UCB New Medicines President Ismail Kola said,"Harvard’s academic excellence is an ideal fit with UCB’s expertise in discovery research. Both Harvard and UCB share the same drive for scientific excellence and innovation to benefit patients and meet unmet health care needs."

The first research project of Harvard-UCB alliance is in collaboration with Professor Gokhan S. Hotamisligil, Chair, Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases.