2012 © Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM
Europe joins forces in medical research
Published on 2011-10-03
Europe is seeking to improve competitiveness in biomedical research by bringing together top expertise in every country and jointly building and maintaining research infrastructures. The EATRIS agreement recently signed by Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Italy and Spain is an important step in this direction.
During recent years European Union has supported planning of building, maintenance and utilization of common European research infrastructures. Examples of such endeavors include ELIXIR aiming at sustainable storage and maintenance of the biological data, BBMRI aiming at improving access to biobank samples and data, as well as EATRIS which aims at improving the “translation†of discoveries in basic biomedical research into new drugs, therapies and diagnostics.
Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM has been involved in the preparatory phase of the EATRIS translational research infrastructure funded by European Commission during 2007-2010. Now Finland together with the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Italy and Spain has signed an agreement to implement joint translational research infrastructure. More countries are expected to follow in early 2012.
“Whereas biomedical research has leaped forward in recent years, new drugs, therapies and diagnostics have nevertheless been in short supply. EATRIS improves the ‘translation’ of discoveries from basic research into practical applications by opening access to member states’ best expertise and research infrastructures.†says Professor Olli Kallioniemi, director of FIMM.
EATRIS will provide access to and facilitate joint use of member states’ major translational research infrastructures thus enabling optimal utilization of expensive equipment and the best expertise. EATRIS services will facilitate the development of biological as well as small molecule drugs, vaccines, tracers and diagnostic biomarkers.
EATRIS Coordination  & Supports office resides in Amsterdam. It provides a simple one-stop-shop –  a single point of access  – to network’s services.
“This consortium will improve healthcare provision and make Europe’s biopharmaceutical sector more competitiveâ€, says Giovanni Migliaccio, scientific director of EATRIS.
For more information contact:
Director, Professor Olli Kallioniemi, FIMM
Phone: +358-9-191 2573 1
E-mail: olli.kallioniemi @ helsinki.fi