Suresnes (France), December 4, 2025 – Servier, an independent international pharmaceutical company governed by a foundation, has entered into a research collaboration with University College London (UCL), a prestigious centuries-old British university and part of the University of London, to test candidate drugs from Servier in innovative patient-derived cell models known as brain assembloids, complex 3D structures that replicate key aspects of human brain development and function, for the treatment of patients with Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE).
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) is a rare form of epilepsy that typically manifests in early childhood. Affecting nearly 200 children per 100,000 worldwide,1 DEE is characterized with frequent seizures, intellectual disability, and significant developmental delays.
This partnership demonstrates Servier’s commitment to developing innovative treatments for patients affected by rare and severe neurological disorders, where medical needs remain high and largely unmet.
“We are excited to partner with University College of London to validate the therapeutic potential of our drug candidates for rare epilepsy disorders. With its renowned expertise in the field and close connection to patients, UCL is an ideal partner to drive research forward and deliver real benefits to patients. By combining our expertise, we aim to deepen our understanding of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies and ultimately develop treatments that will transform the lives of patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.”
Nitza Thomasson, Head of Global R&D Neurology Servier
“This collaboration represents a tremendous opportunity to bridge cutting-edge science and therapeutic innovation for patients with rare epileptic disorders. By combining Servier’s promising antisense oligonucleotide candidates with our advanced human brain assembloid models, we aim to accelerate the discovery and validation of new treatments for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. This partnership exemplifies how academic–industry collaborations can transform pioneering research into meaningful therapeutic advances for patients.”
Professor Gabriele Lignani, Head of the Research Department of Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
“We are excited to join forces with Servier to accelerate the development of advanced therapies for these severe epilepsies with significant unmet need. By combining our expertise in genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies and our human assembloid DEE models with industry innovation in therapeutic development, this collaboration will fast-track the discovery and testing of novel, patient-relevant treatments. Together, we will combine science and innovation to bring life-changing solutions closer to the children and families we look after.”
Dr Amy McTague, Principal Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
By combining UCL’s cutting-edge research capabilities with Servier’s drug discovery expertise and resources, this collaboration exemplifies the power of open, multidisciplinary partnerships between academia and industry. The joint effort is designed to accelerate progress in DEE research and deliver clinically actionable insights that can improve patient outcomes.
As part of the agreement, Servier will leverage UCL’s scientific expertise to assess the therapeutic potential of its antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), while UCL will develop the brain assembloid models that replicate the cognitive development of brains affected by genetically defined DEE. These advanced models offer a unique opportunity to better assess therapeutic responses in a physiologically relevant context.
[1] The burden of epilepsy on long-term outcome of genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies: A single tertiary center longitudinal retrospective cohort study – ScienceDirect – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505024000519