Introduction

• Universities continue to generate high quality fundamental research in the life sciences, financed primarily through traditional (public) funding channels. However, these funding mechanisms rarely permit the continuation of the primary research to the point where novel compounds can be discovered and progressed through the early stages of pre-clinical development.

• Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry is increasingly seeking new ways to augment its product pipelines and (in general) has scaled back research & development in favour of “search and development”. However, industrial funding has not been provided to support the transition from fundamental medical research to pre-clinical drug discovery.

• A development gap exists between University led biology research and industrial interest.

Union Life Sciences has recognised this dilemma and believes additional investment in early stage drug discovery activities is required to bring the research to a standard that industry recognises as a suitable starting point for their internal project teams. This ultimately leads to earlier commercialisation and financial return for all those involved.