Alma Therapeutics partnership launches to accelerate translational research
Alma Therapeutics, a new public-private partnership between the U. of I. and Deerfield Management, aims to translate U. of I. research to meaningful clinical advances. / Fred Zwicky
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A new public-private partnership strategically positioned to translate breakthrough science into potentially life-saving therapeutics launched today as Alma Therapeutics, a collaboration between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and healthcare investment firm Deerfield Management.
The partnership seeks to combine the world-class research developed in U. of I. laboratories with Deerfield’s scientific and investment experience in a joint effort to translate new discoveries into meaningful advances for patients. Over the next 10 years, Deerfield may provide substantial funding, along with operational and scientific support, to advance promising therapeutic programs developed at Illinois.
“Translational research powered by fundamental scientific breakthroughs continues to be vital to addressing the challenges facing human health,” said Susan Martinis, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation at the U. of I. “Alma Therapeutics will work closely with research programs across campus to expedite the discovery of the next generation of therapeutics.”
Alma Therapeutics aims to work with institutes and departments throughout the U. of I., with the goal of enhancing collaboration across campus and enabling drug discovery across disciplines. Such collaboration is already catalyzed by campuswide institutes such as the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and the IGB, where the Alma Therapeutics partnership will be housed.
“The IGB serves as a comprehensive genomics institute. Collaborations such as this allow us to remain at the forefront of modern technology at a time when innovative approaches to therapeutic discovery are critical,” said Lisa Ainsworth, interim director of the IGB.
The partnership will begin evaluating translational research from Illinois faculty this fall, integrating scientific excellence, infrastructure, translational strategy and investment insights.
This is not the first time Deerfield has invested in Illinois-developed research: In 2024, the firm invested in Excelsior Sciences, a company co-founded by Illinois chemistry professor Martin D. Burke (MMG) to focus on automation- and artificial intelligence-enabled blocc chemistry for small molecule development, pioneered in the Molecule Maker Lab he directs at Illinois.
“We believe that researchers at the U. of I. are working to solve some of the most outstanding problems in human health,” said Nadim Shohdy, chief operating officer at Deerfield Discovery and Development, the internal therapeutics research and development engine of Deerfield Management. “We look forward to partnering with Illinois to further the development of innovative therapeutics with the potential to make a significant clinical impact and change the treatment paradigm for patients in need.”