AstraZeneca, together with its global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, has entered into four new collaborations with the University of Cambridge, building further on their existing partnership.

The new agreements build on the existing partnership between AstraZeneca, MedImmune and the University of Cambridge, which includes an oncology research programme and co-location of AstraZeneca scientists at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. The four agreements involve neuroscience research, access to AstraZeneca pipeline compounds, a PhD programme to support future leaders in science and an entrepreneur-in-residence programme.

Within the neuroscience collaboration scientists from all three parties will collectively address gaps in drug discovery, translational biomarkers and personalised healthcare approaches for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.  The research will be carried out at MedImmune and the University of Cambridge laboratories.

“We are excited to establish this prestigious strategic alliance between AstraZeneca, MedImmune and the University of Cambridge to progress high quality scientific research,” said Bahija Jallal, Executive Vice President, MedImmune. “We will work together to discover and develop new medicines that could have a significant impact on the health of patients with neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.”