On 5 July 2018, international biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) signed a letter of intent with the purpose of developing competences and skills in the pharmaceutical industry. The document will be valid for a term of five years.
The parties intend to cooperate with respect to training highly-skilled professionals for the pharmaceutical industry, drawing on AstraZeneca’s broad industrial and scientific expertise and Skoltech’s advanced educational methods.
AstraZeneca and Skoltech plan to develop and implement joint research projects, educational programs and individual training modules based on their respective resources and facilities, by using distance learning capabilities and involving top-notch experts and leading higher education organizations and research centers.
The parties’ collaborative effort will address multiple targets, such as the development of academic mobility for faculty and students, supervision over and review of graduate projects, and the organization of joint conferences, seminars, round tables, and other thematic events. Other avenues of cooperation will include internship and employment programs for students and Skoltech-based professional education modules for AstraZeneca employees.
The letter of intent represents the next step in a fruitful cooperation between AstraZeneca and the Skolkovo Foundation, which officially started in May last year. In April 2018, the partners launched a joint acceleration program, Startup Challenge 2018, with the goal of searching for forward-looking ideas and innovative solutions for the treatment of oncological, cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, respiratory and autoimmune diseases. In 2018, AstraZeneca was ranked first among the world’s 30 most innovative pharmaceutical companies according to the Pharmaceutical Innovation Index (PII).
Irina Panarina, General Director, AstraZeneca Russia and Eurasia: “As part of its ‘In Russia for Russia’ strategy, AstraZeneca pays particular attention to improving the efficiency in the training of highly-skilled professionals to cater to the needs of the pharmaceutical industry. Our mission is to become a leading innovative and reliable partner committed to addressing healthcare problems using a strong portfolio of medical products and the industry’s best team of professionals, and to serve the cause of helping millions of patients. This year, AstraZeneca celebrates the 25th anniversary of its presence in Russia: over these years, we have provided the Russian healthcare market with upwards of 40 drugs that help patients to live longer and better lives. I am convinced that this cooperation with the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) will contribute to creating an effective system for training highly-skilled professionals for the Russian pharmaceutical industry, which is particularly important in light of President Vladimir Putin’s recent ‘Executive Order on the National Goals and Strategic Objectives of the Russian Federation through 2024’ and the advancement of the Healthcare National Project.”
Alexander Safonov, Vice President for Development, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech): “We are happy to cooperate with the leader of the pharmaceutical industry and are prepared to participate in joint research projects and share expertise in professional education. We appreciate the fact that AstraZeneca has chosen Skoltech as its partner and is willing to play an active role in the educational process and include our students and graduates in its internship programs.”