UCL Announces Major Pharmaceutical Deal

JOHN BILTON REPORTS ON UCL’S LATEST MAJOR PHARMACEUTICAL DEAL

UCL has announced a major new research collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Japan’s largest pharmaceutical company.

Running for three years, the collaboration will focus on advancing our understanding of devastating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Motor Neuron Disease, how they develop and how they can be disrupted. The scientists involved hope that, by identifying and understanding the role of genes and genetic mutations in these diseases, they can target them with more effective treatments.

UCL is a major centre for neuroscientific research. UCL Neuroscience currently employs two Nobel Laureates, and last year made headlines for their work in developing a cure for spinal paralysis. Takeda Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1781 and employs over 30,000 people worldwide, with six research and development sites across the world, including one in Cambridge, which will carry out the research. Over the last 10 years Takeda has invested over £160 million in the life sciences sector in the South-East of England – an area where life science companies generate £16.6 billion annually.

The partnership was unveiled by Boris Johnson at BioJapan, Asia’s leading technology event. Johnson said:

“London is a world-leading scientific city with some of the greatest universities in the world… Working with global partners is a crucial part of turning research breakthroughs into better treatments, and I’m absolutely delighted that Takeda is deepening its commitment to London through this partnership.”