By Colin Kellaher

AbbVie Inc. on Tuesday said it formed a $30 million research alliance with Harvard University aimed at developing therapies against emergent viral infections, with a focus on those caused by coronaviruses and by viruses that lead to hemorrhagic fever.

The North Chicago, Ill., biopharmaceutical company said the collaboration with Harvard Medical School aims to rapidly integrate fundamental biology into the preclinical and clinical development of new therapies for viral diseases that address a variety of therapeutic modalities.

AbbVie noted that Harvard Medical School has led several large-scale, coordinated research efforts launched at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

AbbVie said it will provide $30 million over three years, along with in-kind support leveraging its scientists, expertise and facilities to advance collaborative research and early-stage development efforts across five program areas.

Write to Colin Kellaher at colin.kellaher@wsj.com