The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer – Commercialization of Research (IRICoR), Université de Montréal’s drug discovery and project maturation unit based at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), whose mandate is to accelerate the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies in cancer and related fields, has entered into a strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca, a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company.
The IRICoR-AstraZeneca collaboration will focus on identifying novel drug targets, primarily in oncology, which may have important therapeutic potential. As part of the alliance, AstraZeneca will make available to IRICoR diversity sets of selected molecules from its chemical compound library in order to allow IRICoR to screen for activity against the chosen targets. AstraZeneca may also provide additional support to advance the selected targets, on a case by case basis.
“Having AstraZeneca join us as a strategic partner reflects IRICoR’s continuing ability to attract the best biopharmaceutical partners,” commented Dr. Nadine Beauger, Chief Executive Officer of IRICoR. “With this collaboration, IRICoR will have access to a set of AstraZeneca’s proprietary molecules that will be tested in our portfolio’s highly innovative biological assays, as well as access to complementary scientific and strategic support. This will be an important addition to our own proprietary compound collection and will further strengthen our high throughput screening capabilities and expertise, already recognized as being among the best in Canada.”
Garry Pairaudeau, Head of External Sciences, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit at AstraZeneca said, “AstraZeneca’s global network of Open Innovation collaborations helps world-leading research centres to translate innovative academic research into new therapies using our high quality compounds. IRICoR has an excellent track record and their focus on immunology and oncology aligns perfectly with two of the main areas of interest for AstraZeneca. We look forward to working together in the pursuit of scientific progress that may one day benefit patients.”
“Collaboration is essential to advancing our understanding of diseases and accelerating the discovery and development of ground-breaking oncology and immuno-oncology treatments that benefit patients,” said Dr. Neil Maresky, VP of Scientific Affairs, AstraZeneca Canada. “This research partnership with IRICoR represents another important step in the new era of medical discovery via open innovation and public-private collaboration. It’s also a strong testament to AstraZeneca’s commitment to world-class health sciences research being performed here in Canada.”
About the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer – Commercialization of Research (IRICoR)
As Université de Montréal’s drug discovery and project maturation cluster, IRICoR is a not-for-profit organization based at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), with the mandate to accelerate the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies in cancer, immunotherapy and related fields. Since its creation in 2008, IRICoR successfully invests in and supports cutting-edge projects with disruptive technologies to rapidly translate innovation into patient-accessible therapies, through either co-development partnerships with industry or company creation. IRICoR seamlessly integrates business-related expertise with industry-level drug discovery in a world-renowned research institute, providing academics with access to a full drug discovery chain with one of the largest academia-based medicinal chemistry groups in Canada. For more information about IRICoR: www.iricor.ca
About the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC)
An ultra-modern research hub and training centre located in the heart of the Université de Montreal, the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) was created in 2003 to shed light on the mechanisms of cancer and discover new, more effective therapies to counter this disease. IRIC operates according to a model that is unique in Canada. Its innovative approach to research has already led to discoveries that will, over the coming years, have a significant impact on the fight against cancer. For further information visit www.iric.ca
Université de Montréal
Deeply rooted in Montreal and dedicated to its international mission, Université de Montréal ranks among the top universities in the world, particularly in the French-speaking world. Founded in 1878, Université de Montréal today has 16 faculties and together with its two affiliated schools, HEC Montréal and École Polytechnique, constitutes the largest centre of higher education and research in Quebec and one of the major centres in North America. It brings together 2,600 professors and researchers, and more than 65,000 students. For more information: www.umontreal.ca
Contacts:
Steven J. Klein, Ph.D., MBA
Vice-President, Business Development
Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer –
Commercialization of Research (IRICoR)
T- 514.343.6647 | F- 514.343.2165
steven.klein@iricor.ca