Eisai and Charles River Laboratories agree new collaboration

Eisai has announced a new partnership with Charles River Laboratories that will see scientists from both organisations coming together on drug discovery projects.

Charles River scientists work at Eisai's UK research and development facilities in Hatfield to work on a range of synthetic and medicinal chemistry projects, including efforts to develop novel treatments for neurological diseases.

They will also participate in a medicinal chemistry project to discover new antimalarial drugs targeting drug-resistant strains of the disease, working in collaboration with the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund and Medicines for Malaria Venture.

This will build on earlier research by Eisai focusing on malaria and neglected diseases to improve access to medicines in developing countries.

Gary Hendler, president and chief executive officer for Eisai in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: "We are pleased to work in collaboration with Charles River Laboratories and look forward to welcoming their expert scientists into our research and development facilities in the coming weeks."

This comes as part of Eisai's wider efforts to explore open innovation and novel collaborative working practices.