Principal Investigator: Neil Gozzard –
Description: UCB is global biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of small molecule and antibody based drugs for the treatment of severe immune-mediated diseases and CNS disorders. Over 1000 research and early development scientist are based in Belgium (CNS) and UK (Immunology) supporting an innovative pipeline of novel therapeutics. UCB’s Cimzia (Anti-TNF, pegylated fab) is marketed for the treatment of RA & Crohns’ disease. Specific interest in novel therapies for RA, SLE, Crohns’, UC and rare autoimmune diseases.
Interests of centre leader: Autoimmune disease patho-physiology. Identification of novel antibody and small molecule drugs for autoimmune disease. Predictive animal models, in-vitro assays and clinical biomarkers.
Role: Develop UCB’s Immunology strategy with respect to disease focus, new targets, in-licensing of pipeline projects and academic collaborations.
Contribution: In-vitro cell based assays and analysis. Animal models of autoimmune disease. Clinical biomarkers and early clinical trials
Expertise: Expertise in new target validation & drug discovery. Experience of IMI projects through involvement with UBIOPRED (Understanding Severe asthma).
Multi-centre trial experience: Limited, focus on pre-clinical research & early clinical development.
Existing Interactions within the consortium: None
