BOSTON and BRUSSELS — Drug maker UCB and Harvard University have entered a research alliance that is designed to advance ongoing Harvard research projects along the drug development pathway.

UCB said it will bring its expertise in antibody generation and medicinal chemistry into the alliance and will provide up to $6 million over two years to fund specific innovative research projects led by Harvard scientists. The collaboration focuses on the central nervous system and immunology, UCB said.

The first research project funded under the Harvard-UCB alliance is a collaboration with Gokhan Hotamisligil, professor and chair of the department of genetics and complex diseases at the Harvard School of Public Health.

"Harvard's world-class academic research is an excellent fit with UCB's world-class antibody research and central nervous system pharmacology," said Ismail Kola, president of UCB new medicines. "Both parties will learn from each other through the collaboration and a two-way exchange of ideas. Harvard will benefit from UCB's strengths and industry experience in drug discovery and development, while Harvard's exceptional research will complement UCB's internal expertise."