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Translational Research Program on New Biological Mechanisms to Regulate Immune Cells

Reflects Commitment to Drive Innovation and Develop New Therapies

Cambridge, MA, July 21, 2009 - Harvard University's Office of Technology Development announced today a collaboration agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to advance innovative research into the regulation of autoimmunity. The collaboration will focus on the understanding of mechanism(s) that induce immune tolerance by modulating TCR/CD3 receptors on lymphocytes among other strategies. It is anticipated that the findings will help design a new generation of protein therapeutics for auto-immune diseases.

Under terms of the agreement, Harvard and GSK will participate in a broad-based research collaboration, and GSK will support ongoing research in the laboratory of Diane Mathis, Ph.D. and Christophe Benoist, M.D., Ph.D., Professors of Pathology at Harvard Medical School. This research includes multifaceted investigations into the molecular pathways that underlie immune tolerance including regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation. The Benoist/Mathis lab has been deeply involved in the study of Tolerance and Tregs for many years.

“The collaboration with GSK promises to advance our understanding of this important field and its role in regulating autoimmune cells,” said Prof. Benoist. “Working in concert with GSK, we hope to accelerate the important work that our lab has accomplished to date, and enable the development of new, innovative ways to address autoimmune and inflammatory disease”.

“I am delighted by the collaboration with GSK, which exemplifies Harvard's commitment to creative engagement with industry in order to advance basic research discoveries from the lab to the clinic” said Jeffrey Flier, Dean of Harvard Medical School. “This is a unique opportunity to develop new therapies for patient care and enhancing the quality of life for those suffering from autoimmune disorders.”

About Immune Tolerance and Tregs
Of the various mechanisms responsible for imposing tolerance to self, the population of CD4+ regulatory T cells defined by the Foxp3 transcription factor is a critical one. These are now known to control a number of fundamental immunological processes, including lymphoproliferation, autoimmunity, allergy, infection and tumor rejection. Such contexts permit multi-faceted manipulation of Treg numbers and function. Some of these findings may now be translated to the human context, in particular regarding patients with arthritis, multiple sclerosis and type-1 diabetes.

About Harvard University’s Office of Technology Development
The Harvard Office of Technology Development (OTD) is responsible for all activities pertaining to the evaluation, patenting and licensing of new inventions and discoveries made at Harvard University and Harvard Medical School. OTD also serves to further the development of Harvard technologies through the establishment of sponsored research collaborations with industry. OTD’s mission is to promote the public good by fostering innovation and translating new inventions made at Harvard into useful products available and beneficial to society.