The collaboration aligns the research efforts of both firms around projects which are designed to develop a deep understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of MS and to address the unmet medical needs in MS, particularly progressive forms of the disease.
Initially, the deal will focus on projects that explore strategies to address neurodegeneration, a hallmark of progressive MS, and new technologies to better understand the pathology of the disease.
The five-year deal will be led by a joint steering committee comprised of Genzyme and Cleveland Clinic researchers.
Genzyme president and CEO David Meeker said the company wants to advance and build a sustainable pipeline of novel therapeutic approaches, and the collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, along with its internal R&D efforts, reinforce its long-term commitment to the MS community.
"We are excited to work collaboratively with a premier research and health care institution that has made many important contributions to better understanding this complex and devastating disease," Meeker said.
Over 2.3 million people across the world have been diagnosed with MS, including around 400,000 people in the US.