Deerfield Discovery and Development (3DC)
Deerfield’s internal research and development engine, 3DC, seeks to advance early-stage therapeutics from scientific discovery through preclinical proof of concept and into the clinic for the benefit of patients.
3DC is a company-building R&D engine.
Deerfield Discovery and Development (3DC) is a partner to various stakeholders in the biotech ecosystem, including principal investigators in Deerfield’s academic collaboration network, startups, and biopharma companies.
Researchers at academic institutions discover many of the novel insights that advance our understanding of disease. Commercially promising innovations eventually outgrow the lab, requiring greater resources and more focused development expertise than an academic setting can typically provide.
3DC is led by Chief Executive Officer Frank Nestle, MD.
Deeply experienced drug hunters seek to advance a competitive portfolio of high-impact medicines
Working with Entrepreneurs
3DC offers turnkey drug discovery expertise and capabilities to founders to advance the therapeutic development of small molecules and biologics.
Instead of building an R&D team from scratch, Deerfield-backed startups can leverage 3DC to advance development plans faster and in collaboration with seasoned biotech and pharma veterans on staff.
Partnering with Biopharma
Deerfield’s infrastructure can support the development of compelling assets on behalf of or in partnership with strategics and corporate partners.
Our team can acquire, transform, mature, and integrate development-stage and commercial assets prior to or in preparation for a corporate acquisition.
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Laboratory Space at Cure
3DC scientists enjoy access to in-building laboratory facilities including state-of-the-art equipment like cryo-EM, NMR, flow cytometry, automated screening robots, and high-throughput mass spectrometry.
Deerfield partners with leading academic research centers, aiming to provide critical funding and expertise to sustain and accelerate the commercialization of discoveries toward meaningful societal impact by advancing cures for disease.
In January 2019, Deerfield and Yeda, the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science announced the development of an extensive translational research initiative. The research collaboration was the first outside of the USA for Deerfield and hopes to catalyze the development of transformative treatments toward clinical validation for cures for diseases and improved quality of life.
In May 2018, Northwestern University and Deerfield Management launched Lakeside Discovery with the mission to accelerate the translation of transformative biomedical technologies. Deerfield will provide up to $65 million of targeted funding and deep development and operational expertise to advance promising Northwestern research. Lakeside will tackle projects approved by a joint steering committee comprised of members from the Northwestern and Deerfield scientific leadership teams.
In March 2019, Deerfield and Harvard University announced a major strategic R&D alliance called Lab1636. Lab1636 intends to speed the development and translation of biomedical and life-science innovations into transformative treatments that can improve life, health, and medical care.
In January 2025, the University of Chicago and Deerfield Management announced the launch of Hyde Park Discovery, a collaboration aiming to advance the development of new medicines and other life-saving treatments for disease.
In June 2019, Deerfield and Columbia University announced the creation of a major research and development alliance, Hudson Heights Innovations. The collaboration is intended to advance the translation of biomedical discoveries into transformative treatments for improved quality of life and cures for diseases.
In January 2023, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and Deerfield Management announced a research and development collaboration to help bring next-generation therapeutics to market. Through a newly formed company called Harbor Discoveries, LLC, Deerfield has committed up to $130 million over a 10-year period, along with functional expertise, to advance biomedical research.