Karolinska Institutet has signed a memorandum of understanding with the pharmaceutical company Chiesi, which has an office and laboratory facility in KI Science Park. The parties have agreed to strengthen efforts that can accelerate research and development in areas such as respiratory diseases, rare diseases, and neonatology.
"We believe that this partnership will provide significant opportunities to not only accelerate our pipeline but also to explore and establish new innovative ways of working between academia and industry," says Fabrizio Conicella, Director of the Chies's Center for Open Innovation and Competence.
The collaboration will build on the partners' previous experience and will build on the framework of already available resources. The aim is to create a culture of sharing to accelerate the translation of research results into improved treatment in areas of high unmet medical need.
"We will benefit from past successes and create the platform for a closer, sustainable and more dynamic collaboration, says Richard Cowburn, Head of the External Engagement Office at Karolinska Institutet.
As the parties proceed with the planning of further concrete projects, more legally-binding agreements will be signed. A steering group is being formed to drive the collaboration forward. Examples of possibilities to be discussed include exchanging research materials and technologies, utilizing each other's infrastructures and competencies, engaging doctoral students and postdocs in projects, and expanding the opportunity for students to perform internships at Chiesi.
