Date: 2016-03-28
Type of information: Collaboration agreement
Compound: Immunotherapeutics and Vaccine Research Initiative (IVRI)
Company: Aduro Biotech (USA - CA) The University of California (UC) Berkeley (USA - CA)
Therapeutic area: Autoimmune diseases - Cancer - Oncology - Infectious diseases
Type agreement: collaboration R&D
Action mechanism:
Disease:
Details: * On March 28, 2016, the University of California (UC) Berkeley, in collaboration with Aduro Biotech launched the Immunotherapeutics and Vaccine Research Initiative (IVRI). IVRI is UC Berkeley’s first-ever immunotherapy-focused initiative and, in partnership with Aduro, will combine UC Berkeley’s extensive research capabilities with the company’s expertise in immunotherapy discovery and development to identify and advance new treatment options and preventive modalities for cancer, infectious disease and autoimmune disease. IVRI is designed to explore the unique synergy between cancer and infectious disease research and to accelerate breakthrough discoveries in both areas. IVRI researchers are working closely with collaborators and sponsors with the shared goal of discovering and advancing immunotherapeutics and vaccine strategies. As part of research projects, researchers at UC Berkeley will also have the opportunity to access the company’s novel technology platforms including LADD, STING Pathway Activators and B-select monoclonal antibodies, which are designed to harness the body's natural immune system. The IVRI officially launched with a reception on March 24, 2016 at the UC Berkeley campus, which featured remarks from James P. Allison, Chair of Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, David Raulet, Faculty Director, IVRI, as well as Stephen Isaacs of Aduro. On March 25, 2016, a full day symposium on the topic "Harnessing the Immune System to Fight Cancer and Infectious Diseases” was hosted on the campus. The symposium featured a dynamic list of invited speakers from around the country, including Lasker Award winner James P. Allison, Director of the Emory University Vaccine Center, Rafi Ahmed, and Aduro’s Chief Scientific Officer, Thomas J. Dubensky, Jr. The symposium also featured a scientific poster session including presentations of basic and translational science in infectious diseases, immunology or immuno-oncology.
Financial terms: Aduro Biotech is IVRI’s founding partner. The californian immunotherapy company will provide UC Berkeley with $7.5 million in research funding over the next three years, with an option for Aduro to increase and extend funding for up to an additional three years.
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