Roche unveils Zurich translational partnership
pharmafile | December 7, 2011 | News story | Research and Development | Roche, Zurich, academic alliance, translational research
Roche has unveiled a new research collaboration with academic researchers and leading clinical centres in Switzerland.
The Basel-based pharma company is teaming up with ETH Zurich ( the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich), the University of Zurich and the University Hospital Zurich to launch an academic translational research hub in Zurich.
Translational medicine is aimed at bridging the gap between cutting edge science and patient care. The translational research hub will foster collaborations between Roche and academic researchers from ETH, Zurich University and the University Hospital in pathology, dermatology, inflammation and potentially other diseases with unmet medical need.
ETH’s recent major investments into the field of molecular health sciences will provide the framework for an assistant professorship studying Ribonculeic Acid (RNA) functions in disease and developing novel RNA-based technologies.
The university and university hospital will provide competence in molecular pathology methods and clinical infrastructure for research, while Roche will provide its diagnostic platforms, drugs, as well as jointly developing content for the research projects.
Experts from Roche (Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals) will work with scientists from its three partners to define the projects, with Roche providing initial financial support for 3-6 years.
The first projects will include a biomarker survey on oncology drug patients, the development of RNA technology tools and programmes related to pathways and assay development in pathology.
Jean Jacques Garaud, global head of Roche’s pharma research and early development, said: “External collaborations with academic institutions are at the core of our strategy and are fundamental to develop the next generation of treatments in areas of unmet medical need.
“This partnership brings together high calibre researchers, building on the full range of skills and expertise needed to develop new therapeutic and diagnostic solutions for patients.”
Andrew McConaghie
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