Selected projects from Bio-X program will receive Roche funding and R&D expertise.
Roche has established a strategic partnership with Sweden’s Bio-X initiative, which supports the translation of the country’s academic innovation into clinical and commercial success. The alliance means projects selected in the Bio-X program will be offered access to Roche’s expertise in early-stage life science product development.
The co-operation agreement links Bio-X and Sweden’s life science support agency, Uppsala Bio, with Roche’s global innovation network for at least three years. Under terms of the alliance Roche will co-finance selected Bio-X projects and retain a right of first negotiation to resulting technologies. Each Bio-X program will be assigned a dedicated Roche contact to ensure access to relevant expertise and internal resources.
Uppsla Bio is a Swedish government-funded initiative that aims to promote R&D in the country’s life science sector and foster academic and industry collaboration. Bio-X was established to identify and support promising academic-based research in healthcare, drug development, and diagnostics. Projects from central Swedish universities and academic institutions are evaluated with respect to criteria including commercialization potential, and selected projects are supported for up to two years with financing and tailored support services.
“Having Roche as a strategic partner opens up great possibilities to our early projects within the Bio-X program,” comments Eric Forsberg, M.D., for Uppsala Bio. “The agreement with Roche is a fantastic opportunity and will give us strategic input on industrial and customer needs and add significant value and competitive edge to the region’s as well as Sweden’s life sciences sector.”
Roche’s global innovation program, established in 1999, is based on umbrella agreements with key partners. The Uppsala Bio deals adds the first European partner to the scheme, which currently involves eight partners, encompassing nearly 30 universities globally.
