Karolinska University Hospital’s cancer department has signed an agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb to start an oncology and hematology research collaboration focusing on advancing research and generating data with an aim to deliver innovative therapies for patients.

The organizations will centralize the work through a steering committee consisting of experts from both organizations to discuss the scope of work, including clinical trials, translational and preclinical research, and other collaborative research. The goal of the initiative is to optimize the use of innovative therapies to inform precision medicine in cancer, potentially ranging from early-phase studies to biomarker research to real-world data.

Sweden as a leading country within R&D and innovation

Bristol Myers Squibb envisions Sweden as a leading country within research & development and innovation in the life science sector, it states.

“We are proud to initiate our new collaboration with Karolinska University Hospital. Our aim with the collaboration is for patients to have access to new innovative treatments in the future, with a prime focus of treating cancer with precision medicine,” says Jörg Schulze, GM, BMS Sweden.

Karolinska University Hospital sees the collaboration agreement with BMS as an opportunity to jointly develop precision medicine in highly specialized cancer care as well as cell and gene therapy, the hospital states.

“Our aspiration is that collaboration will lead to patients quickly gaining access to advanced new forms of treatment based on the latest research findings that we will develop together.”

“Our aspiration is that collaboration will lead to patients quickly gaining access to advanced new forms of treatment based on the latest research findings that we will develop together,” says Professor Dr. Stephan Mielke, Head of Research and Education at Theme Area Cancer and Head of Operations for the Medical Unit for Cell Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Part of the GECI

The agreement is part of the Global Expert Centers Initiative (GECI), launched in Europe by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2015. This research platform advances research and data generation through collaboration with key scientific institutions and universities.

“Over two dozen institutions from over ten countries currently participate, with Karolinska University Hospital being the first member institute in the Nordics.”

Over two dozen institutions from over ten countries currently participate, with Karolinska University Hospital being the first member institute in the Nordics. GECI hosts an annual summit for members to discuss research projects, share medical insights, and shape strategy.

Photo: Carin Tellström