JERUSALEM--(Business Wire)--
Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.,
the technology transfer arm of the University, today announced that it has
signed a long-term multi-project research and license collaboration agreement
with Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY).
According to the terms of the agreement, Roche has selected six promising
research projects in the fields of stem cells, biomarkers, and novel molecules
for the treatment of metabolic diseases, initiated by Hebrew University
researchers. The expected duration of each collaborative research project is 1-3
years. Following successful completion of the different research plans, Roche
shall have exclusive license to commercialize the results in consideration for
the payment of transfer fees, milestone payments and royalties.
The chosen projects are:
* A novel pathway and new strategies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and
obesity, developed by Prof. Shmuel Ben-Sasson, Department of Developmental
Biology and Cancer Research, IMRIC, at the University`s Faculty of Medicine.
* Novel technologies for minimizing the risk of tumor development and for
decreasing the risk of immunogenic rejection when using stem cells to treat
human diseases; and novel technologies for converting embryonic and induced stem
cells into liver cells, developed by Prof. Nissim Benvenisty, Head of the
Department of Genetics at the Hebrew University.
* Identifying novel biomarkers for progressive stages of vascular complications
(e.g. ischemic heart diseases) developed by Prof. Eli Keshet, from the
Department of Molecular Biology at the Faculty of Medicine.
* Novel ways to differentiate stem cells into beta cell lineages for organ
transplants by using proprietary scaffolds, developed by Prof. Eduardo Mitrani
of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Faculty of Science.
* Using cannabinoids, for the treatment of diabetes type I and type II,
developed by Prof. Ruth Gallily of the University`s Department of Immunology and
Cancer Research and Prof. Raphael Mechoulam of the Department for Medicinal
Chemistry and Natural Products, both from the University`s Faculty of Medicine,
in collaboration with Prof. Ehud Ziv and Prof. Itamar Raz from Hadassah Medical
Organization and their colleagues.
"Yissum is proud of this extensive collaboration with Roche and believes that
this alliance will advance research at the Hebrew University, and yield
innovative products and new medical approaches that will provide benefits for
patients suffering from several diseases," said Yaacov Michlin, CEO of Yissum.
Dr. Giora Yaron, Yissum Chairman, added "Close collaboration between
multinationals and the academy is the way into the future. The scientific
complexity of diseases requires the collaboration of the best minds in the
industry and the academy. We see this agreement as a major step in this
direction."
About Yissum
Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.
was founded in 1964 to protect and commercialize the Hebrew University`s
intellectual property. Products based on Hebrew University technologies that
have been commercialized by Yissum currently generate $1.2 Billion in annual
sales. Ranked among the top technology transfer companies in the world, Yissum
has registered over 6,100 patents covering 1,750 inventions; has licensed out
480 technologies and has spun-off 65 companies. Yissum`s business partners span
the globe and include companies such as Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, Merck,
Teva, Intel, IBM, Phillips, Sygenta, Vilmorin, Monsanto and many more. For
further information please visit www.yissum.co.il.
Yissum Ltd.
Tsipi Haitovsky, +972-52-598-9892
Media Liaison
tsipih@yissum.co.il
Copyright Business Wire 2009
