AbbVie and MD Anderson partner on cancer immunotherapy research

AbbVie has announced a new immuno-oncology research alliance with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The three-year collaboration agreement will provide a framework for MD Anderson and AbbVie to efficiently choose and carry out preclinical and clinical studies evaluating new ideas in the field of cancer immunotherapy.

AbbVie Biotherapeutics, the company's centre of innovation in the biotech hub of the San Francisco Bay Area, will spearhead the work, with future projects to be drawn from AbbVie's extensive portfolio of oncology programmes.

The research efforts will leverage AbbVie's proven strengths in biology, protein engineering and chemistry, as well as MD Anderson's established immunotherapy expertise.

Dr Michael Severino, executive vice-president for research and development and chief scientific officer at AbbVie, said: "AbbVie is pleased to partner with MD Anderson's world-class experts so that together we can advance the science of cancer immunotherapy for the benefit of patients around the world."

The MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most prestigious centres focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.