Teva Collaborates With UK On Dementia Research
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced that it has partnered with the UK government on a new national clinical drug development initiative and research on dementia.
The Israeli pharmaceutical company linked up with the UK National Health Service National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure (NOCRI) to make a single point of entry into the UK health system and reduce complexity of running drug development programs. UK Prime Minister Cameron said, “This is an excellent area for Britain and Israel to collaborate on. The meaning of Teva is nature, and it is in the nature of Israelis and Brits to be entrepreneurial. Success in technology, innovation, and the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries are a must if Israel and Britain are to compete in the global race.”
The new two-part collaboration comes after the establishment of a crucial research infrastructure model by the National Health Service (NHS) which eliminates inherent complexities in the UK healthcare system. This includes inefficiencies in dealing with numerous and different stakeholders on an individual and center by center basis.
The company will invest an estimated $20 million in clinical development in the UK and up to $1 million for basic research in dementia. Teva has committed to a three-year dementia research program to understand targets and approaches in treating the disease. In return, the NIHR’s new translational research infrastructure will provide benefits to Teva through its ability to set up and deliver studies as well as facilitate access to the NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units in Dementia and Translational Research Partnership in Dementia. Teva said it will maintain the right to negotiate licenses to the dementia research targets.
Dr. Michael Hayden, Teva’s President of Global R&D and Chief Scientific Officer, said “We are delighted to collaborate with NIHR on both clinical development and early dementia research. It will be a catalyst for innovation to take place within a healthcare system that is admired the world over. The relationship between Teva, Israel and the UK is a long and fruitful one and I am proud that we can now add another example of us working together as partners for innovation and health.”