Business
BridgeBio Pharma and University of Florida Establish Collaboration to Advance Therapies for Genetically Driven Diseases
Partnership to Leverage University of Florida’s Research in Gene Therapy and BridgeBio’s Translational Expertise in Rare and Genetic Disease PALO ALTO,
About this update from Bridgebio Pharma, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Partnership to Leverage University of Florida’s Research in Gene Therapy and BridgeBio’s Translational Expertise in Rare and Genetic Disease\nPALO ALTO, Calif., June 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on genetic diseases, has entered into a strategic collaboration with the University of Florida to translate research in genetically driven disease towards clinical development and potential commercialization. The partnership combines University of Florida’s prowess in studying genetically driven disease, including its capabilities in gene therapy, with BridgeBio’s expertise in efficiently advancing therapeutics from the academic laboratory through preclinical studies and into human testing.\n BridgeBio believes that, too often, promising research in academia sits on the shelf without partners to move it forward. The company’s mission is to bring as much of that research forward as possible, by focusing on establishing partnerships with leading institutions in the hopes of translating research into life-saving therapies. “The scientists at University of Florida are recognized as leaders in research dedicated to genetically driven diseases, especially in the area of gene therapy. We are proud and eager to collaborate with them to push potential therapies forward for patients in need,” said BridgeBio CEO and founder Neil Kumar, Ph.D. BridgeBio will provide sponsorship to select research programs around diseases with a genetic basis, including gene therapies and large and small molecules. The company will provide guidance for sponsored programs around medicinal chemistry for small-molecule hit optimization, strategies to modify or formulate a potential biologic therapy or approaches for testing non-optimized viral vectors. BridgeBio may conduct proof-of-concept studies for lead therapeutic compounds in relevant mammalian models. “Great academic research scientists at the University of Florida have produced groundbreaking research, and through a partnership with BridgeBio we hope to turn more of that research into approved medicines for patients,” said Jim O’Connell, assistant vice president for commercialization at University of Florida. “BridgeBio has shown it understands the complexities in advancing gene therapies toward clinical development for pati...