1. In Vivo
  2. >>Business Strategy

As Pfizer And UCSF Tighten Ties, More Deals With Academia Could Follow

Pfizer's latest pledge to academic research, a five-year $85 million agreement to fund projects at the University of California, San Francisco, is a sign of the increased importance of deals between pharmas and universities, which give commercial partners access to new research earlier in the development process while nudging academics toward projects with commercial relevance in mind.

Pfizer Inc.'s latest pledge to academic research, a five-year $85 million agreement to fund projects at the University of California, San Francisco, isn't just a deepening of the Big Pharma's commitment to on-campus studies intended to bridge the so-called Valley of Death between the laboratory and the commercial sector. [See Deal] It's also a sign of the increased importance of deals between pharmas and universities, which give commercial partners access to new research earlier in the development process while nudging academics toward projects with commercial relevance in mind.

Pfizer has collaborated with institutions before, including a $15 million three-year deal with the University of Pennsylvania, a $22.5 million arrangement with Washington University in St. Louis, and a $9

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Business Strategy

Is Advanced AI Revolutionizing Sales Enablement In Pharma?

 
• By Marina Hickson

Advanced AI is revolutionizing sales enablement by addressing training gaps and performance challenges. Used correctly, it can help to bridge the sales-marketing divide, accelerate ramp-up times and provide managers with data-driven insights.

Laying The Foundation And Overcoming Prerequisites To Establish AI Within Health Care

 
• By Mike King

As the health care industry undergoes a digital transformation, the integration of AI into Quality and Regulatory Management Systems is proving essential. The challenges for successful AI deployment emphasize the need for robust digital infrastructure, data literacy programs and privacy measures to enhance patient safety and commercial performance.

Aurion Biotech’s Ophthalmic Cell Therapy For The Masses

 
• By David Wild

Aurion Biotech is developing a cell therapy for corneal diseases that is cheap enough to produce and can be scaled that it should reach the masses in a way that other cell therapies cannot.

Neurodegenerative Disease Investment: Shifting Paradigms Beyond Amyloid And Tau

 
• By David Wild

Companies are exploring new mechanisms of action beyond traditional amyloid and tau and both investors and big pharma are willing to make deals when the science is compelling, panelists at Biotech Showcase said.

More from In Vivo

Digital Transformation At The FDA: Generative AI Set To Transform Drug Review Process

 
• By David Wild

The FDA plans to implement generative AI for drug reviews by 30 June 2025, enhancing efficiency and potentially accelerating approval processes. Discussions with OpenAI about AI integration are ongoing.

Deals Shaping The Industry, April 2025

 
• By In Vivo Team

An interactive look at pharma, medtech and diagnostics deals made during April 2025. Data courtesy of Biomedtracker.

Plans For London Cancer Hub Promises New Destination For Biotech Innovation

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

Plans have been submitted for a £1bn development in London that can home biotech companies and encourages cross collaboration with the Institute of Cancer Research. In Vivo took an exclusive tour of the UK’s prospective new cancer innovation district.