Tsinghua University and Biogen Announce Collaboration to Advance Scientific Research and Development in China

Tsinghua University and Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) announced a three-year strategic collaboration with a goal to advance scientific research and development in neuroscience and specialized immunology. The academic collaboration is Biogen’s first in China and aims to combine the company’s longstanding leadership in this space with Tsinghua’s world-class talent in order to expand access to innovations from the country’s growing scientific ecosystem.

“Tsinghua has established world class research capabilities in pharmaceutical sciences, basic medicine, and life sciences,” said Professor Hongwei Wang, the Vice President of Tsinghua University. “We look forward to collaborating with innovative pharmaceutical companies such as Biogen, to facilitate the communication of scientists on both sides, and accelerate clinical translation of our scientific findings.”

“Biogen is an industrial leader in drug discovery and development in neuroscience and specialized immunology,” said Professor Feng Qian, the Dean of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPS), Tsinghua University. “Tsinghua has been developing comprehensive basic research expertise in these areas, while translational research and industrial collaboration are strategically critical for the future of SPS.  We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with Biogen, which could result in deepened scientific understanding, advanced technologies, and high quality translational opportunities.”

“We are proud to collaborate with Tsinghua, regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in the world, to explore new research and scientific innovations in the fields of neuroscience and specialized immunology,” said Priya Singhal, Interim Head of R&D at Biogen. “This collaboration allows us to leverage Tsinghua’s strengths in the pharmaceutical science,  basic medical research, life sciences and related research areas, and to explore new projects that could advance the scientific field.”

“China is an important strategic market for Biogen and this scientific collaboration is a key pillar of our presence the country,” said Francis Wan, Head of Asia-Pacific at Biogen. “We look forward to working with researchers at Tsinghua as part of our mission to address unmet medical needs for people living with neurological and immunological diseases.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Biogen will provide support to selected projects at Tsinghua University for up to three years and, together, the organizations will collaborate to research, discover and potentially develop innovative technologies that may be applied in neuroscience and specialized immunology.

About Biogen

As pioneers in neuroscience, Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological diseases as well as related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world’s first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Sir Kenneth Murray, and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Today, Biogen has a leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and developed the first and only approved treatment to address a defining pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Biogen is also commercializing biosimilars and focusing on advancing one of the industry’s most diversified pipelines in neuroscience that will transform the standard of care for patients in several areas of high unmet need.

In 2020, Biogen launched a bold 20-year, $250 million initiative to address the deeply interrelated issues of climate, health, and equity. Healthy Climate, Healthy Lives™ aims to eliminate fossil fuels across the company’s operations, build collaborations with renowned institutions to advance the science to improve human health outcomes, and support underserved communities.

About Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University was established in 1911, originally under the name “Tsing Hua Imperial College”. The school was renamed "Tsing Hua College" in 1912. The university section was founded in 1925. The name “National Tsing Hua University” was adopted in 1928. Since China opened up to the world in 1978, Tsinghua University has developed at a breathtaking pace into a comprehensive research university. At present, the university has 21 schools and 59 departments with faculties in science, engineering, humanities, law, medicine, history, philosophy, economics, management, education and art.

With the motto of “Self-discipline and Social Commitment” and the spirit of “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”, Tsinghua University is dedicated to the well-being of Chinese society and to world development. As one of China’s most prestigious and influential universities, Tsinghua is committed to cultivating global citizens who will thrive in today’s world and become tomorrow’s leaders. Through the pursuit of education and research at the highest level of excellence, Tsinghua is developing innovative solutions that will help solve pressing problems in China and the world.