Teva Teams Up With TAU, Weizmann Institute For Early-Stage Cancer Drug Research

Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is partnering with Tel Aviv University (TAU) and the Weizmann Institute of Science, in separate agreements, for innovative drug research and development with a focus on cancer treatments.

Teva said in a statement that as part of its collaboration with TAU, researchers from both parties would work on advancing innovative R&D research in the fields of cancer as well as brain studies.

The teams from Teva and TAU will “conduct collaborative research to test the efficacy of immunotherapy in unique models, by incorporating advanced analyses of the immune system,” and will “explore ways to improve antibody production by utilizing advanced bioinformatics tools, and promote projects aimed at finding new mechanisms to understand nervous system disorders,” Teva said.

As part of the collaboration with the Weizmann Institute, Teva said it signed a unique agreement with Yeda Research and Development Company, the commercial arm of the university, that includes financial support and collaborative efforts by R&D teams from both parties to develop “at a rapid pace specific innovative antibodies for the treatment of various types of cancer.”

The pharmaceutical giant said its collaboration with the Weizmann Institute is part of a “long chain on collaborations with Israeli academia” that “may lead to the development of innovative drugs, which can contribute to improving the lives of cancer patients.”

“Teva is committed to improving the lives of patients by providing them with quality advanced pharmaceuticals, including biological drugs. We are currently investing substantial efforts and resources in R&D on a wide range of cancer therapies that can impact the lives and health of millions of patients around the world,” said Dr. Hafrun Fridriksdottir, Teva’s Executive Vice President, Global R&D. “We are looking forward to embarking on this collaborative journey with top researchers at Weizmann and other Israeli academic institutions to develop innovative immunotherapy drugs for the benefit of cancer patients.”

Dr. Steffen Nock, head of Teva’s Innovative Research team, said that the partnership with TAU also serves as a great example of collaborative initiatives.

“We hope that this merging of minds between academia and pharma will help facilitate the discovery of innovative drugs and technologies, which are so necessary to improve the quality of life of people suffering from cancer or nervous system disorders.,” Dr. Nock said in the statement.

He indicated that Teva was planning to carry out more collaborations with researchers from leading universities and medical centers in Israel in the fields of oncology, immunology and brain studies – “areas in which Israel has unique research capabilities.”