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MedImmune Agreement Illustrates UMMS Focus on Strategic Partnerships Two factors are increasingly impacting innovation at the University of Michigan Medical School. First, the future of federal funding for biomedical research grows more uncertain every day. Second, driving new therapies to patients more quickly is always an imperative. Thus innovative external collaboration—leveraging the research expertise of both U-M and the partner in an effort to move products to clinical market more quickly—is a growing priority for the Medical School research enterprise.

What makes U-M an attractive partner?

Our “team science” approach to basic and translational research and a robust IP portfolio are obvious assets to any potential collaboration. But while these strengths may open a conversation with a potential partner, it is the clarity of purpose and a responsive infrastructure that can get an agreement across the finish line. Serving as managers of the collaboration process, the UMMS Business Development team works with faculty to refine proposals to meet a potential partner’s specific strategic needs and timeline. BD then acts as a single point of contact for corporate business development colleagues, helping them navigate processes through U-M offices like the Office of Technology Transfer and the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects and executing a final agreement as efficiently as possible.

U-M’s recent agreement with MedImmune is one of a growing number of examples of how this renewed focus is bearing fruit. The strategic research collaboration with MedImmune illustrates how two large organizations with shared goals of positively impacting human health can quickly come together in an innovative approach to public-private partnership.

“The Medical School has a renewed energy and focus around making external partnerships work,” notes Steven L. Kunkel, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean for Research. “Each new collaboration with industry is a testament to the expertise of our faculty and the hard work of our Business Development team.“