The accelerator will connect AbbVie scientists with the lab of Kyriacos Nicolaou, pioneer of an approach for replicating natural molecules with cancer-fighting qualities.

Rice University has joined forces with pharmaceutical firm AbbVie to launch the KC Nicolaou Research Accelerator aimed at the development of cytotoxic drugs to combat cancer.
The accelerator will connect AbbVie scientists with the laboratory of Kyriacos Nicolaou, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess professor of chemistry at Rice, whose primary disciplines are organic synthesis and chemical biology.
Nicolaou’s lab has created an approach to replicate natural molecules with anti-cancer qualities as part of enhanced oncological agents, in a process known as total synthesis.
Successes for his team to date have included the total synthesis of paclitaxel, a chemotherapy agent often used to treat ovarian, breast and non-smell lung cancer.
Rice University views the accelerator as a step towards deeper, integrative ties with industry rather than purely transactional relations.
By combining total synthesis with its own medicinal chemistry and antibody engineering programs, AbbVie expects the partnership to ultimately improve cancer treatments and outcomes for patients.
Tom Hudson, vice-president for oncology discovery and early development at AbbVie, said: “Dr Nicolaou and his team at Rice University are conducting world-class research in organic chemistry that has the potential to aid in the development of new and effective cancer therapies for patients.
“Our goal is to transform the way cancer is treated and we look forward to aligning our development capabilities with the team’s expertise in chemistry to better address patient needs.”