Shire and Boston Children’s Hospital announce research alliance

Shire is joining forces with the Boston Children's Hospital to research and develop new therapies for rare diseases.

The organisations have announced a broad three-year research collaboration that will involve the creation of novel treatments for several rare paediatric diseases with high unmet medical need.

It will take advantage of Boston Children's research expertise and Shire's development and commercialisation capabilities, with the pharmaceutical company set to provide funding to support the various programmes.

The emphasis will be on projects that offer the potential to deliver a development candidate in less than three years from the commencement of research.

Dr Philip Vickers, global head of research and development for Shire's human genetic therapies division, said: "Shire is pleased to enter into this innovative collaboration with Boston Children's, which joins together leaders in academia and industry to advance pioneering research from the lab to the clinic."

Earlier this year, Shire elected to become a full member of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, a move that will help it play a more active role in guiding the growth of the UK healthcare sector.