The knot is tied between industry and academia

On 2 June the inauguration of the new research center Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre (ICMC) was held. Two of the speakers were the Vice-Chancellor of Karolinska Institutet Anders Hamsten, and Minister for Higher Education and Research Helene Hellmark Knutsson.

- This research collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry and academia is unique and important, said Anders Hamsten, Vice-Chancellor at KI, who was the first speaker for the afternoon.

During his speech Anders Hamsten told that he has his research background in cardiovascular research, one of ICMC's focus areas, and that he is especially interested in the topic.

The next speaker was Marcus Schindler, Vice President, Head of CVMD iMED, Astra Zeneca, who told that the research centers goal is to validate new targets within the cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Special focus is placed on the research areas Cardiac Regeneration, Islet Healthcare (diabetes) and Diabetic Nephropathy.

The third speaker was Bo Angelin, Professor and Director of ICMC, who told that they expect to have nine different research groups at the ICMC and that they are proud to already have successfully recruited eight international high qualifier scientists to lead these research groups. He also mentioned the advantage of having mixed teams - in terms of both younger and more established researchers and with different nationalities.

Last speaker was Helene Hellmark Knutsson, Minister for Higher Education and Research, who talked about some of the points the government is working with to promote research, for example: quality assurance, gender balance among researchers and support of young people to start researching.

Instead of traditional cut a ribbon, Helene Hellmark Knutsson tied the ribbon between academia and industry - a ribbon Anders Hamsten, KI, and Marcus Schindler, AstraZeneca held each end of.

The inauguration continued in ICMC's new premises with a tour of the new labs, poster mingle and food buffet.