Pfizer takeover bid raises fear for university-industry links

Source: Reuters

Taking stock: Pfizer¡¯s takeover bid may have repercussions for UK research

The threat to 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s ¡°enviable¡± university-industry ¡°ecosystem¡± for biomedical research from 바카라사이트 proposed takeover of AstraZeneca by Pfizer is ¡°deeply worrying¡±, a senior academic has warned.

Sir John Tooke, vice-provost for health at University College London, said that close links between 바카라사이트 pharmaceutical industry and academia were ¡°essential¡± to improve 바카라사이트 pace and cost of drug development.

He recognised that 바카라사이트re would be ¡°limits¡± on any assurances that Pfizer could give, but said 바카라사이트re needed to be ¡°concrete commitments¡± on partnerships with academia ¨C such as a recently announced rare diseases consortium involving Pfizer and leading research universities.

AstraZeneca has about 200 active collaborations with UK academic institutions, which include research and student programmes.

Earlier this year, it announced 바카라사이트 creation of a joint research centre with 바카라사이트 Medical Research Council at a new research and development facility, which will include 바카라사이트 company¡¯s headquarters, on 바카라사이트 Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Sir John¡¯s comments come in 바카라사이트 week that MPs from two House of Commons committees have grilled representatives from 바카라사이트 companies over fears that Pfizer will move jobs and investment out of 바카라사이트 UK if 바카라사이트 takeover goes ahead.

A written statement of evidence submitted by AstraZeneca to 바카라사이트 Business, Innovation and Skills Committee said that 바카라사이트 commitment to establish its headquarters in Cambridge would bring academic benefits.

AstraZeneca said it played a key role in 바카라사이트 life sciences community and urged 바카라사이트 committee to look at 바카라사이트 evidence on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 proposed consolidation ¡°is in 바카라사이트 best interest of 바카라사이트 sector¡±.

In its evidence to 바카라사이트 committee, Pfizer reiterated its commitment to complete 바카라사이트 Cambridge centre and pledged to keep a fifth of its R&D staff in 바카라사이트 UK.

Sir John, who is also president of 바카라사이트 Academy of Medical Sciences, said that 바카라사이트 government needed to consider creating new public-private partnerships that make 바카라사이트 research and development ecosystem ¡°less vulnerable to 바카라사이트 commercial behaviour of corporate giants¡±.

¡°Removing 바카라사이트 VAT barrier on academic buildings that nurture industrial collaboration would be an important step in that direction,¡± he added.

Sir John explained that universities need to ¡°work smarter¡± by forming clusters that can draw on ¡°synergistic strengths¡± to continue to attract inward investment.

holly.else@tsleducation.com