ABPI launches online tool for greater research collaboration
pharmafile | June 6, 2017 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development |
A new tool developed by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry could lead to stronger research relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and academics in the UK by enabling them to secure collaboration online.
Launched this week, the ABPI’s Library of Initiatives for Novel Collaborations (LINC) presents users with partnership opportunities, including details on funding, equipment access, and innovative compounds, in order to facilitate effective working relationships on research projects.
“Collaboration has never been more important for successfully delivering new therapies for patients,” explained Dr Malcolm Skingle, Chair of the ABPI’s Academic Liaison Expert Network and Director of GSK’s Academic Liaison Worldwide Business Development. “Innovation requires a vast range of skills, resources and knowledge, which no single organisation can hold by themselves. ABPI LINC makes this collaboration easier than ever and has the potential to make a real difference to the speed of innovation in the UK by linking together the world-beating expertise we have in our universities, in the NHS and in the pharmaceutical industry.”
Already 370 projects strong, LINC promises continual growth, presenting a platform for users to search its database in order to hunt down ventures based on funding, resources, compounds, company and more. The system also provides users with a central portal which illustrates the methods the pharmaceutical industry is employing to promote open innovation through strong partnerships UK hospitals and universities.
“ABPI LINC will benefit clinical research in the long-term,” added Damian Mole, MRC Senior Clinical Fellow and Honorary Consultant Surgeon at the University of Edinburgh. “Industry-academic partnerships are vital to keep the UK at the forefront of cutting-edge research and this tool will allow our university researchers to fully explore and compete for the funding and collaborative projects on offer. ABPI LINC will undoubtedly foster these links and speed up drug discovery research.”
Matt Fellows
