Evanston, Ill.-based Northwestern University and Chicago-based pharmaceutical company AbbVie have signed a five-year collaboration agreement with the goal of advancing research and discovery in oncology.
AbbVie and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University will focus on several areas of oncology research, including lung, colorectal, breast, prostate and hematological cancer.
The collaboration provides Lurie Cancer Center scientists access to new therapies designed by AbbVie for preclinical research funded under the agreement. Lurie Cancer Center scientists will also work closely with AbbVie's research teams to support the exchange of scientific knowledge. Additionally, the agreement offers AbbVie the option to obtain an exclusive license of certain Lurie Cancer Center discoveries made as a result of the collaboration.
A joint steering committee comprised of representatives from Lurie and AbbVie will determine the research projects that the collaboration will undertake. Additionally, researchers from both organizations will hold a symposium at least once a year to discuss their joint research and potential ideas for new projects.