Novo Nordisk and Oxford University announce RA collaboration

Novo Nordisk will be allying with a team from the University of Oxford on the development of new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The agreement will see the pharmaceutical company allying with the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology at Oxford University in order to develop new drug candidates and identify novel biomarkers and treatment targets.

Funding will be provided by Novo Nordisk for ten Oxford researchers to work within the partnership, with a joint steering committee of members from both parties set to oversee operations.

The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology is renowned for its studies into the biological pathways leading to RA, with its work focusing on translational research techniques and biomarker identification.

Per Falk, senior vice-president of the biopharmaceutical research unit at Novo Nordisk, said: "We are excited to have this chance to further develop our autoimmune inflammatory disease pipeline in close collaboration with such a world-class translational research centre as the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology."

Earlier this month, the company carried out a series of haemophilia awareness activities internationally in order to mark World Haemophilia Day on April 17th.