BC’s CDRD to collaborate with Roche to develop health research technologies

Vancouver, BC – The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) says it has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with F Hoffmann-La Roche. Under the agreement, Roche has committed several million dollars to support and jointly develop innovative health research technologies under the management of CDRD’s commercial arm, CDRD Ventures (CVI).

“CDRD and CDRD Ventures are extremely pleased to be partnering with Roche – one of the most cutting-edge research-based companies in the world,” said Natalie Dakers, president and CEO of CDRD. “This is the first industry investment into CDRD’s commercial arm which will allow us to successfully address the commercialization gap between academia and the private sector, and in doing so, bring new therapeutics to the patients who need them,” she said.

The newly formed partnership will provide CVI with capital and additional external expertise to further support Canadian health researchers in the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of diseases with high unmet medical need. At the same time, it will provide Roche with access to Canada’s leading health research discoveries, and further build the company’s product pipeline. Ultimately, this investment will support a mutual goal of transforming cutting-edge academic health research discoveries into viable commercial opportunities.

“We are pleased to be working with CDRD Ventures,” said Dan Zabrowski, head of Roche Partnering. “We believe this collaboration could result in the discovery and development of innovative new drugs that could make a real difference to patients’ lives.”