Harvard has partnered Deerfield to launch commercialisation firm Lab1636 with $100m in funding in order to advance life science projects towards the clinic and establish spinouts.

Harvard University today announced a partnership with investment firm Deerfield Management to launch a $100m research and development initiative that will focus on the development and translation of biomedical and life science research. Lab1636 is a wholly-owned company of Deerfield affiliates and received the capital from the investment firm. It will focus on novel therapeutics and support projects throughout the drug discovery and development stages. The company’s remit includes facilitating licences to existing companies and providing substantial support to the formation of spinouts. The initiative is spearheaded by Harvard’s tech transfer arm, the Office of Technology Development (OTD). Projects to be funded will be selected by a joint advisory committee and they will need to be initiated by principal investigators from laboratories across the institution. Vivian Berlin, managing director of strategic partnerships in OTD, said: “The sheer scope of this collaboration with Deerfield may prove transformative for Harvard research. “This alliance has immense potential to bridge the development gap, ensure continuity of resources, and complement our other major translational programs, such as the Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator.” James Flynn, managing partner at Deerfield, said: “Harvard is an outstanding partner for an alliance. “The university’s outstanding science, breadth of technologies, and mix of esteemed junior and senior faculty constitute a fertile environment for the continuous generation of novel insights. “This, in combination with its experience advancing potential therapeutics, makes it the perfect place to establish an impactful translational partnership.” Lab1636 follows similar initiatives that Deerfield has launched in partnership with Johns Hopkins University – Bluefield Innovations –, Vanderbilt University – Ancora Innovation –, Northwestern University – Lakeside Discovery –, University of California, San Diego – Poseidon Innovation –, and University of Carolina at Chapel Hill – Pinnacle Hill. Deerfield’s previous initiatives however only benefitted from $65m in funding each.

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Thierry Heles

Thierry Heles is the editor of Global University Venturing, host of the Beyond the Breakthrough interview podcast and responsible for the monthly GUV Gazette (sign up here for free).