Collaboration agreed
The Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, has signed a research collaboration agreement in the areas of neuroscience, oncology and drug delivery with Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, under which Merck Serono will endowed three chairs.
In addition, Merck Serono will open a research fund at EPFL of up to CHF3 million per year over five years.
“We are very pleased to be partnering with one of the world-renowned places of scientific and technical expertise,” said Elmar Schnee, President of Merck Serono. “Our collaboration will contribute to the advancement of basic research in areas of high unmet medical needs, such as neuroscience and oncology, and to the improvement of drug delivery methods.”
EPFL President Patrick Aebischer said the partnership, “Will allow EPFL researchers to participate in the development of drugs for serious human conditions such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, and our students to better understand the needs of the life sciences industry.”
Merck Serono and EPFL say the deal sets a new standard in academic–industrial partnerships, illustrating the quality of research in Switzerland and demonstrating the potential of cross-disciplinary projects that bring together expertise and resources in life sciences, basic sciences, information technology and engineering.
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