For Academics & TTOs

Partnering with CD3

We work collaboratively with academic researchers and biotech innovators to move promising biomedical discoveries towards clinical application. Our partnership model comprises a combination of funding, drug discovery expertise and a path towards partnering or spin-off creation.

we collaborate on and invest in your drug discovery project, aiming to deliver a new potential medicine ready for partnering or spin-off creation;
we invest in your existing NewCo while collaborating on the drug discovery project developed within the NewCo.

Why partner with CD3

CD3 is both a drug discovery center and an investment fund. This unique combination enables us to support drug discovery research in the earliest stages, where scientific risk is highest and traditional funding is often limited.

Partnering with CD3 provides:

Investment in and dedicated attention to your high-risk early-stage drug discovery project or spin-off company
Expertise across all key stages of drug discovery and preclinical development
Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and technologies
A path towards partnering or spin-off creation and further clinical development
Accelerated value creation through active project support and strategic guidance
Participation in the value generated through successful partnering of project outcomes
Connection to a large network of biotech and pharma industry representatives and investors

Drug discovery focus

CD3 focuses on the discovery of innovative therapeutics, from small molecules to a range of biologics, including therapeutic antibodies and antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). We work closely with academic research groups and biotech start-ups. We provide the expertise and resources required to progress toward clinical drug candidates and, in selected cases, Phase I clinical studies.

Co-creation & technical expertise

We fast-track innovative drug discovery ideas together with our academic researchers and biotech innovators. Together with CD3 Labs, CD3’s integrated drug discovery lab unit, we bring end-to-end discovery and exploitation capabilities and expertise. This includes assay development, high-throughput screening, AI-driven drug discovery, hit-to-lead and lead optimization as well as IP support, business development, project and alliance management everything in between.

Outlicensing, venture creation and investment

CD3 advances innovative collaborative therapeutic programmess towards out-licensing opportunities with biotech or pharma partners or the creation of dedicated spin-off companies, while ensuring fair value creation for all stakeholders. CD3 also actively invests in spin-offs and existing NewCos to accelerate growth and unlock long-term value.

Want to learn more about our investments?

Our partnership process

Partnering with CD3 means combining scientific leadership with capital, expertise and a broad industry network. Our structured process is designed to translate validated research into drug development assets with clinical and commercial potential.

What are we looking for in a project?

Collaborations with CD3 start from innovative academic ideas around the modulation of biological targets or pathways to prevent or treat human disease with an unmet medical need. Biologically active drugs at any development stage can also be starting points for a drug discovery collaboration and investment.

We base our evaluation of potential programmes on:

the innovative biological rationale linking modulation of the specific target or pathway to a beneficial clinical effect with an acceptable safety profile
the existence of an unmet medical need
potential for clinical development
availability of assays and/or models
competitive & IP landscape

How to apply?

Do you have a project on which you would like to collaborate with us? Have a look at the different steps in the application procedure.

Presentation of a potential project

Please contact us and submit your project for initial evaluation and discussion, ideally in a face-to-face (virtual or in-person) meeting. This initial presentation should cover the main scientific aspects of the project (target, disease indication, project status, expertise of the research group, etc.) and the medical need. We are prepared to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Initial evaluation by CD3

We will review all facets of the project, including scientific robustness, and investigate intellectual property potential, medical need, market opportunity and the level of investment required. This process will take a few weeks. We will then share the outcome of this preliminary evaluation with you.

Project plan

A positive the preliminary evaluation will lead to CD3 working with the research group to conduct a more detailed scientific assessment and develop a structured project plan. We will define project objectives together, and development strategy, key milestones, and resource requirements.

Collaboration agreement

Once both parties decide to move forward, the collaboration is formalized with a collaboration agreement. This agreement sets out the terms of the partnership, including funding, intellectual property, governance, publication rights, and value-sharing mechanisms.

Once the agreement is in place, the drug discovery can start!

What can we do for your project?

CD3 focuses on the discovery of innovative therapeutics in collaboration with academic research groups or early-stage biotech companies by providing both funding and expert drug discovery support.

Starting points for a collaborative drug discovery project or investment can be any of the following:

Novel targets or novel biology insights
Hit compounds or hit-to-lead stage projects
Lead compounds or lead optimization projects
Preclinical candidates

We can develop projects up to the clinical drug candidate stage and, in some cases, towards a Phase I study. While the focus of CD3 is small molecule discovery, CD3 also supports and invests in therapeutic antibody development.

View our expertise

Once a programme reaches sufficient maturity, assets can be licensed – in agreement with our partner – to a pharmaceutical partner to progress into clinical development, or can be incorporated into a new venture.

Want to learn more about our outlicensing strategy and track record or our investment capabilities?