UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

Novartis-Fudan Joint Research Laboratory

China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical
Research Co., Ltd. (CNIBR)

Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBS)

Fudan University

Dr. En Li
Head, CNIBR

Dr. Lin He
Director, IBS
OBJECTIVE
To advance the state-of-the-art of
biological science and translational
medicine research in China.

OBJECTIVE
To support Novartis commitment to
China and to discover breakthrough
innovative medicines for diseases that
are prevalent among Chinese.

MISSION
To combine the expertise and technologies of Novartis with Fudan Universitys resources in Shanghai, to promote
drug discovery in China, and to support the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR Shanghai)s efforts
in discovering innovative medicines in China.

PROGRAM
The institutions goals are to discover new drug targets and biomarkers for cancer and to publish research papers
in peer reviewed scientific and medical journals. One focus will be on liver cancer in China.
Location: Institute of Biomedical Sciences at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.
Type of Partnership: Talent and innovation
The partnership seeks to immerse and instruct the graduate students and post-doctoral students who work at the
Lab.
Cross Border: Yes
Is the IP open source or protected? The IP is protected for both parties.
Who owns the resulting IP, if any? That depends on the type of project. Under the various project categories, the
ownership of the resulting IP is clearly defined.
What are the expectations, if any, for commercialization? Not likely in the near term, but the partnership aims for
the long term.

HISTORY
2006 Novartis announced plans to build a Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (NIBR) in Shanghai's
Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, bringing the number of NIBR research centers around the world to a total of 6. (A
seventh has since been added.)
2007 With their researchers having been in contact for a number of years through international research
conferences and industry events, Fudan and Novartis began to discuss a possible collaboration in China.
2008 A research collaboration agreement was signed creating the partnership. The joint research lab was
completed and became operational.

FUNDING
Annual Budget: N/A
Sources: Novartis
Is future funding dependent upon reaching certain milestones? No.

UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
Non-Financial Resources: Novartis will contribute drug discovery expertise and cutting edge technologies to help
make those discoveries. The Institute of Biomedical Sciences at Fudan University will provide lab infrastructure,
some of the research staff, and expertise in specific scientific fields.

STRUCTURE
Current Partners and Sponsors: China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Co., Ltd. and the Institute of
Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University.
Governance Structure: A Joint Steering Committee composed of an equal number of members from Novartis and
Fudan University governs the partnership.
Sunset Date: 2011 with an option to extend.
Success Criteria: The Joint Steering Committee is responsible for setting up the objectives, overseeing the
collaboration activities, and determining whether the goals have been met.

PEOPLE
Organization: The target size is 20 25 research scientists.
Professors/Instructors: Between 2 and 5.
Project and Staff Allocation:
Administrative Staff: Not yet available.
Researchers: Novartis senior investigators and Fudan professors will serve as program leaders. Additional
researchers will be recruited who are open to collaboration, open to self discovery, explained Dr. Amber
Cai of Novartis.
Students/Target Audience: The students will include graduate and post-doctoral students as well as entry level
scientists.
Nationality: Chinese
Institutional Affiliation: Fudan University.
Education Level: Graduate and post-doctoral students.
Career Level: Entry to mid-level scientists.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS/MILESTONES
The partnership is in the start-up phase. The first milestone has been reached; the laboratory has been completed
and is functional.

SUMMARY
Dr. Cai, Head of Corporate Development of Novartis new R&D center in Shanghai, was asked what she felt were
the most important success factors in establishing the partnership with Fudan University. She cited many factors:
mutual trust, common goals, top talent committed to the partnership, and a well-defined structure for the
collaboration. As the partnership takes off, strong project management capabilities and open communications will
be the key to running it smoothly, Dr. Cai believes.
Asked what the most important single success factor has been, Dr. Cai said, Mutual trust is the most critical
element to establishing cross border collaborations. Joint research endeavors come usually as a result of
extended efforts on both sides to understand each country's culture and systems. Honest and open
communications provide the foundation for maintaining good relationships, which is vital to a long term
partnership.

CONTACT

UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
Novartis International AG
China Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research,
Co. Ltd
Building 8, 898 Halei Road
Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong
Shanghai, 201203, China
www.novartis.com

Institute of Biomedical Sciences

Fudan University
Institutes of Biomedical Sciences
130 Dong An Road
Shanghai 200032, China