AbbVie, Harvard partner to study viral diseases

North Chicago-based drugmaker AbbVie said Tuesday it will be part of a $30 million collaborative research alliance with Harvard University to study therapies for novel viral infections.

The partnership will be conducted at Harvard Medical School and will focus on infections caused by coronaviruses and viruses that lead to hemorrhagic fever, the two organizations outlined in a release. AbbVie will provide $30 million over three years and additional support from its scientists, expertise and facilities for research and early-stage development efforts across five program areas, with a goal to rapidly develop new therapies for viral diseases, according to the statement.

"A key element of having a strong R & D organization is collaboration with top academic institutions, like Harvard Medical School, to develop therapies for patients who need them most," said AbbVie Vice Chairman And President Dr. Michael Severino. "There is much to learn about viral diseases and the best way to treat them. By harnessing the power of collaboration, we can develop new therapeutics sooner to ensure the world is better prepared for future potential outbreaks."

Harvard Medical School has led several large-scale, coordinated research efforts launched at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The cataclysmic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic reminds us how vital it is to be prepared for the next public health crisis and how critical collaboration is on every level - across disciplines, across institutions, and across national boundaries," said Dr. George Q. Daley, dean of Harvard Medical School.