AbbVie: The Benefits of Research and Development Collaboration

AbbVie (ABBV) collaborates with various companies and has arrangements with others related to the development and marketing of new drugs and compounds.

AbbVie and Calico Life Sciences agreed to collaborate on R&D (research and development) in September 2014. The companies’ objective is to develop and commercialize new therapies for patients with age-related diseases including neurodegeneration and cancer.

AbbVie and Infinity Pharmaceuticals (INFI) struck a global collaboration agreement in September 2014 to develop and commercialize duvelisib—or IPI-145—for the treatment of patients with cancer.

AbbVie and Ablynx NV began collaborating in September 2013 to develop and commercialize the anti-IL-6R Nanobody, ALX-0061, for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

AbbVie and Galapagos (GLPG) have been collaborating since September 2014 to develop and commercialize cystic fibrosis therapies. They’ve also agreed to work together to develop and commercialize a next-generation oral Janus kinase 1—or JAK1—inhibitor.

AbbVie and Alvine Pharmaceuticals have been collaborating since May 2013 to develop ALV003, a novel oral treatment for patients with celiac disease.

AbbVie acquired ABT-719 from Action Pharma in May 2012. The drug is under development to prevent acute kidney injury associated with major cardiac surgery.

Other pharmaceutical companies including Merck (MRK), Pfizer (PFE), and Eli Lilly (LLY) also have collaborations and arrangements to develop new products.

The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) is focused on large pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.