Gilead Sciences and IOCB Prague renew partnership

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS (IOCB) and Gilead Sciences announced today that the Gilead Sciences Research Centre (GSRC) at IOCB has been extended to address areas of high unmet medical need. Gilead Sciences will provide funding and collaborate on several projects at IOCB across virology, inflammation, and oncology.

The GSRC partnership programme arose out of a unique collaboration between IOCB Prague and Gilead Sciences, Inc. dating back to the 1990s, when Gilead licensed several nucleotide analogue compounds discovered by Czech chemist Antonín Holý from IOCB Prague. As a result, three of these compounds (cidofovir, tenofovir, and adefovir) were successfully developed into multiple drugs that are now improving the quality of life for millions of people living with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B (HBV) around the globe.

“With Gilead Sciences, we share not only a successful past that helped revolutionize the treatment of HIV and chronic hepatitis B but also, I believe, a future that will prove no less interesting,” says Prof. Jan Konvalinka, director of IOCB Prague. “In addition to the licensing fees for the HIV and HBV drugs, for 15 years now, Gilead has supported selected projects of our researchers at GSRC focusing on development of novel therapies. I’m very pleased that it will continue to do so,” Konvalinka adds.

“At Gilead, we are focused on identifying and developing innovative medicines that help address the unmet needs and aim to improve the lives of people around the world, which is why we are committed to continuing our partnership with IOCB,” says Tomáš Cihlář, Senior Vice President Research, Virology at Gilead Sciences. “We are working towards the goals of ending the HIV epidemic, eliminating viral hepatitis, and advancing antiviral pandemic preparedness, and strong research partnerships such as the GSRC at IOCB are key to helping achieve these goals.”

The Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB Prague was first established in 2006. For a period of five years, Gilead donated more than 1 million USD annually to selected research groups at IOCB Prague to support innovative research in the field of human disease research. Since then, the programme was renewed twice in 2011 and 2016 with increased funding of $1.35 million annually. Gilead and IOCB also established the Gilead Distinguished Chair in Medicinal Chemistry, with Antonín Holý being the first to hold the position. The original donation also allowed IOCB to sponsor the prestigious Gilead Fellowship in Medicinal Chemistry for post-doctoral visitors and the Gilead Stipend for Ph.D. students.

For more on the activities of IOCB Prague and the advancement of HIV/AIDs treatment, check out our past articles:

The Fascinating Story about Suppressing HIV

The Czech Academy of Sciences tests samples, develops protective materials and advises with economics

An investment fund created. It will support innovative scientific projects

IOCB’s lutetium separation method will facilitate treatment of cancer

Prepared by: IOCB of the CAS, press release; Tereza Novická, Division of External Relations, CAO of the CAS
Photo: IOCB of the CAS

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