MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) have entered into a five-year, $6 million collaboration to drive novel bioscience research in Maryland.

MedImmune and UMB will both contribute funding and scientists to work on joint research projects, and will provide opportunities for scientific exchange and educational training between MedImmune and UMB scientists, students, and post docs. The University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) will also be integral members of this collaboration.

The research projects will focus on MedImmune's core therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular and metabolic disease; oncology; respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity; and infectious disease. This new collaboration model extends to both MedImmune's biologics and AstraZeneca's small molecule portfolios.

MedImmune and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) have entered into a five-year, $6 million collaboration. Image courtesy of UMB

"We are pleased to be working with MedImmune, an innovative biologics company, on such a historic collaboration," said Jay Perman, MD, President of UMB. "The combined resources and strengths of our organizations will allow for exciting new biomedical research that will benefit patients, while also helping Maryland continue to grow as a center of bioscience research and employment."

"MedImmune is committed to growing Maryland's bioscience cluster as our site in Gaithersburg was designated as one of three global research and development centers for AstraZeneca earlier in this year. Today's announcement is a great example of partnering with a premier research institution in our own backyard," said Dr. Bahija Jallal, Executive Vice President, MedImmune. "We are excited about the opportunity to work with the University of Maryland, which will enable us to initiate innovative research that may ultimately result in new medicines that will help treat patients with a variety of serious diseases. Our objective is to better leverage our local ecosystem to accomplish this goal."

The partnership represents a unique model to foster and support innovation in Maryland as the collaboration involves funding from MedImmune, UMB and the BioMaryland Center - a part of the Department of Business & Economic Development (DBED). Over the five-year period, MedImmune will contribute at least $5 million and UMB will contribute $1 million. DBED is also providing financial support to the collaboration under its commitment to stimulate economic development in the state. DBED's contribution will be based on available funding over the five-year period.

This agreement represents the first of several planned innovative collaborations by Gaithersburg-based MedImmune to actively work with leading regional research institutions and the state to advance Maryland as a top bioscience cluster, with the goal of fostering innovative science and ensuring accelerated development of key medicines.