AstraZeneca Forms Research Collaboration With University of Virginia

AstraZeneca and the University of Virginia (UVa) have entered into a strategic research collaboration to enhance development of new treatments primarily for coronary artery disease (CAD), with a secondary focus on peripheral vascular disease (PAD).

Reportedly, the collaborative preclinical research projects will focus on identifying disease mechanisms and biological targets that have the potential to be starting points for successful and commercially viable treatments of these diseases, both major causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide.

The agreement supports a multi-year relationship aimed at making efficient use of the best scientific expertise from both the University of Virginia and AstraZeneca to find optimal treatments for patients with CAD and PAD, as quickly as possible.

Bjorn Wallmark, vice president of cardiovascular & gastrointestinal research at AstraZeneca, said: “By partnering with the University of Virginia and working together on the complex biology of these diseases it increases the potential of delivering new treatment options.”

Gary Owens, principal investigator of AstraZeneca-UVa Alliance, said: “We are very pleased to join AstraZeneca in advancing the science of cardiovascular research. Our partnership has the potential to greatly speed up the development of novel drugs to treat diseases in several targeted areas, taking these projects years ahead in some cases.”