Horizon Therapeutics plc announces scientific collaboration with leading research institution to advance autoimmunity and inflammation research

Horizon Therapeutics plc today announced that it has entered into a multi-year scientific collaboration with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to identify novel disease targets and develop therapies for patients with severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The initial focus is the emerging field of immunometabolism, the study of metabolic processes in the body that, when dysregulated, can lead to autoimmunity and inflammation. This is the first project of the collaboration, with other projects to follow.

“Collaboration is key to advancing science and we are very pleased to begin working with Johns Hopkins University,” said Elizabeth HZ Thompson, Ph.D., executive vice president, research and development, Horizon. “By combining Johns Hopkins’ capabilities in preclinical research with Horizon’s expertise in autoimmunity, our teams will advance translation and research efforts to meet the unique needs of different patient populations.

Horizon researchers, in collaboration with experts from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, aim to identify novel metabolic pathways that lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity in different subgroups of patients with myositis. This in-depth knowledge of the pathways will then be used to identify new drug targets that may be suitable for drug discovery.

The collaboration comes as Horizon strengthens its presence in Maryland and will be the first tenant of the Alexandria Center® on the Traville Gateway campus in Rockville, Maryland. Once complete, the state-of-the-art facility will support job growth and drive the Company’s ongoing efforts to develop new medicines.

“As Horizon deepens our footprint in the Maryland region, we believe this collaboration will strengthen the world-class scientific thinking and technical capabilities found in Maryland’s life sciences ecosystem,” said Robert Stoffel, Ph.D., Vice President, Research, Horizon. “Working hand in hand with experts from Johns Hopkins University will allow our teams to better understand the biology of the diseases we study and identify new preclinical targets that could lead to new therapies.”

About Horizon

Horizon is a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of medicines that address the critical needs of people affected by rare, autoimmune and serious inflammatory diseases. Our pipeline is useful: we apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact lives, visit www.horizontherapeutics.com and follow us on TwitterLinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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