Out of the box, into industry

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute is launching collaborations with Eli Lilly and Co. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. that capitalize on unconventional strategies for autoimmune disorders and heart failure, respectively. The partnerships bring to four the number of industry deals since the institute launched its 10-year strategy 18 months ago with the goal of increasing out-licensing and bolstering translational research and drug development.

The deals are also the first two partnerships under the tenure of Sanford-Burnham CEO Perry Nisen, a pharma veteran who was brought in last September and told BioCentury he wanted to emphasize "creative partnerships" with pharma...