Giving Compass' Take:

• This report discusses the challenges in biomedical research for nonprofit disease foundations and academic research institutes to build sustainable partnerships.

• The author mentions that research universities and foundations express different views on how to create innovative research and development plans. What are the best ways to maintain this type of partnership successfully?

• Read about the benefits of collaborative philanthropy. 

In biomedical research, both non-profit disease foundations and academic research institutions are committed to translating research into effective therapies for patients. Despite this key area of alignment, universities and foundations have expressed different views about what mechanisms can best foster innovation and development. However, many academic institutions have pushed back against such provisions, cautioning that this approach can actually hinder development by discouraging critical third-party investment.

In recent years, the nonprofit and academic communities have each produced thoughtful work product and participated in group discussions directed at addressing these disagreements and identifying ways to maintain fruitful partnerships.

FasterCures has evaluated these proposed work streams and synthesized them into the following recommended steps to move forward:

  • Develop a common language.
  • Improve existing resources and develop new resources to enhance negotiation process.
  • Develop a platform where interested parties can connect to privately share best practices and negotiating tips.
  • Develop content to educate key participants in this field through workshops and/or white papers.
  • Compile data about how frequently and to what extent research funding generates licensable discoveries and consider the implications for IP ownership and negotiation.
  • It's important to remember that several barriers received many blue dots, but few (or no) orange dots. These challenging yet important obstacles to success include: differing financial needs, lack of alignment on indirect rates, and magnitude of the funding gap.