HD Biosciences (HDB), a Shanghai-based, biology-focused preclinical drug discovery CRO, the Marshall Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (MIIR) and the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine have announced a new partnership to co-develop potential anti-cancer drugs.

The partners will share the costs and risks of discovery and development of new drugs. They also will jointly own intellectual property and commercialization rights of the products developed through the collaboration. HDB will take lead compounds discovered at Marshall University and continue preclinical development, while the university is well versed in translational medicine, clinical trials and FDA guidelines. This partnership is committed to providing innovative medicines for unmet healthcare needs, and targets on both international and Chinese markets.  

According to Dr. Zijian Xie, MIIR's director, moving new drugs from the research laboratory to clinical trials—during which it is determined if the treatment is safe and effective for humans—is an expensive and time-consuming undertaking.

"Normally, it would take tens of millions of dollars and as long as a decade to translate the technology MIIR and the school of medicine have developed over the last several years into viable drug candidates," Xie said. "This joint effort with HD Biosciences significantly will shorten the process because of their expertise in drug discovery and, ultimately, will reduce the risk for all the partners.”

Dr. John Maher, Marshall vice president for research, said the venture has significant economic development potential for Marshall and the entire region. He said, "By working together to examine the commercial viability of the disease targets and treatments being developed at MIIR and the medical school, we will be able to accelerate the translation of research from our labs into discoveries that will help improve human health and stimulate economic development."