MRC Technology and Chinese Academy of Science collaborate for drug discovery

MRC Technology, a technology transfer charity and company, announced today it has entered into a strategic drug discovery collaboration with the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). The agreement will combine the SIBCB’s research expertise in generating potential new drug targets, with MRC Technology’s experience in further developing early stage research for pharmaceutical application and commercialisation.

The focus of the collaboration is to fast track innovative drugable targets to create potent and selective novel therapeutics.

The collaboration was formalised at a signing ceremony held in Shanghai and attended by the senior team from both organisations including Dave Tapolczay and Michael Dalrymple (CEO and Director of Business Development, MRC Technology) and Professors Naihe Jing, Zhengjun Chen and Ge Jiang (Executive Director, Assistant Director and Head of Science and Technology respectively, SIBCB).

Dave Tapolczay, MRC Techology’s CEO commented, “SIBCB is one of the world’s leading academic research institutions and the initiative reflects our joint commitment to delivering drugs for the treatment of diseases of global significance. The collaboration gives us a strong partner in China and access to potential new targets to further develop into drug therapies”

Supporting technology transfer and IP management efforts, MRC Technology set up its drug discovery laboratories in order to bridge the gap between innovative, early stage academic research and the development of intellectual property suitable for licensing to industry for further development and commercialisation. De-risking novel targets by providing proof of concept and pharma-quality data packages fulfils a clear need in the drug discovery process. The collaboration opens the MRC Technology laboratories up to a new source of targets from SIBCB researchers.

For more information about the collaboration please contact Zhi Zhang (zhi.zhang@tech.mrc.ac.uk).



About MRC Technology

MRC Technology (www.mrctechnology.org) is a technology transfer company responsible for adding commercial value to cutting edge scientific discoveries through strategic patent protection, creative licensing of intellectual property (IP), partnered research or further scientific development.

As well as offering technology transfer services to the UK’s Medical Research Council the Company has recently broadened its activity to include helping other charitable and academic organisations (such as AICR) with IP management and commercial development of healthcare-related science, thus bringing valuable income back to the organisations to help fund further research.

MRC Technology also has small molecule drug discovery and therapeutic antibody facilities, providing lead-stage therapeutic assets to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

About SIBCB

Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), is one of the institutions of Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It was established in 2000 through the merger of Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry (founded in 1958) and Shanghai Institute of Cell Biology (founded in 1950). Based on their rich academic experience, SIBCB has been an important national research base since its establishment with the pioneered and outstanding research programs in the area of biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology.

As a nation-renowned institution, SIBCB seeks pre-eminence in exploring the fundamental knowledge about nature and human diseases, and applying that knowledge to advance the public good. It is dedicated to fostering innovative discoveries and inspiring an exciting education culture for nurturing future talents.

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Contacts:


MRC Technology
Suzy Hargreaves

Marketing & Communications Officer
E-mail: shargreaves@tech.mrc.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7391 2798


Media contact
Sarah Jeffery

Zyme Communications
E-mail: sarah.jeffery@zymecommunications.com
Phone: +44 (0) 7771 730919


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