The Miller School of Medicine joins forces with biopharmaceutical company Berg Pharma.
Miami University’s Miller School of Medicine and Boston-based biopharmaceutical firm Berg Pharma are to collaborate on drug research and development. The university is hoping this relationship will accelerate Miami’s push to become a hub in the biotech industry.
The collaboration is not entirely surprising, as Berg was co-founded by Miami University alumnus Niven R. Narain, who serves as president and chief technology officer. The company’s other co-founder, real estate billionaire Carl Berg, has allowed the six-year-old firm to grow to three divisions and 200 employees, as well as sponsor over $10m in research grants. The university’s researchers will utilise Berg’s patented Interrogative Biology discovery platform as they search for compounds that could treat cancer, metabolic diseases and central nervous system disorders.
Berg’s technology introduces artificial intelligence into biology and medicine, which the firm claims cuts drug development time in half. Narain expects the university’s researchers and its diverse tissue samples to significantly advance the search for cures for some of the world’s most challenging and debilitating diseases.
Pascal Goldschmidt, medical dean, said: “Through this collaboration, the University of Miami and Berg are in a unique position to improve the traditional industry-academia relationship, eliminating barriers to free up resources advantageous to both parties and bring meaningful discoveries for improved patient outcomes.”
