Gilead Sciences Research Centre
A unique collaboration between IOCB Prague and Gilead Sciences, Inc. dates back to 1990s when Gilead entered into license agreements with IOCB and the Rega Institute in Leuven, Belgium that cover a number of nucleotide analogue compounds discovered by Antonín Holý. Since that time, three of these compounds, cidofovir, tenofovir and adefovir, have been successfully developed into multiple drugs which are improving the quality of life for patients with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B around the globe.
The collaboration expanded even further when in 2006 a partnership program called Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB Prague was established. In the program, Gilead donated annually $1.1 million for a period of five years to selected research groups at IOCB to expand their efforts in the field of human disease research. Gilead and IOCB also established the Gilead Distinguished Chair in Medicinal Chemistry and Antonín Holý was the first to hold the position. The original donation also allowed IOCB funding the prestigious Gilead Fellowship in Medicinal Chemistry for post-doctoral visitors and the Gilead Stipend for Ph.D. students.
Since then, the program has been renewed twice in 2011 and 2016 with increased funding of $1.35 million annually.
Gilead Sciences Research Centre 4 (2022–)
In 2022, the partnership has been extended as GSRC-4 to address areas of high unmet medical need.
In the program, Gilead Sciences not only provides financial support but also collaborates on several projects at IOCB across virology, inflammation, and oncology.
Tomas Cihlar, Senior Vice President Research, Virology, Gilead Sciences: "At Gilead we are focused on identifying and developing innovative medicines that help to address the unmet needs and aim to improve the lives of people around the world, which is why we are committed to continuing our partnership with IOCB. We are working towards the goals of ending the HIV epidemic, eliminating viral hepatitis, and advancing antiviral pandemic preparedness, and strong research partnerships such as the GSRC at IOCB are key to helping achieve these goals."
Prof. Jan Konvalinka, director of IOCB Prague: "With Gilead Sciences, we share not only a successful past that helped revolutionize the treatment of HIV and chronic hepatitis B but also, as I believe, a future that will prove no less interesting. Separate to the licensing fees for the HIV and HBV drugs, for 15 years now, Gilead has supported selected projects of our researchers at GSRC focusing on development of novel therapies. I’m very pleased that it will continue to do so."