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Centocor R&D and University of Michigan Forge New Model for Academic/Industry Partnerships

Posted on: Thursday, 19 March 2009, 10:36 CDT

MALVERN, Pa. March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- A new joint program launched by Centocor Research and Development, Inc. and the University of Michigan provides an innovative model for industry/academic fellowship programs. Centocor designed the program to continue to build and diversify the company's pipeline of talent while supporting postdoctoral researchers in populations that are traditionally underrepresented in the science and medical communities.

"Scientific excellence and diversity are key drivers for our success as a global pharmaceutical organization. Partnering with a leading research organization to foster the training of the next generation of scientific leaders is a key part of our strategy," said Miguel Barbosa, Ph.D., vice president, Discovery Research at Centocor R&D.

The program aims to forge strong relationships with African American, Hispanic, and Native American scientists who are working in the strategic areas of focus for Centocor.

"We believe the direct ties to our research interests make this program more strategic and collaborative than traditional industry/academic fellowship programs," Barbosa said. "This strategic link will help us build strong relationships with these talented individuals thus creating a robust pipeline of potential hires."

Under the program, research proposals developed jointly by University of Michigan and Centocor scientists are submitted to and reviewed by a joint committee of Centocor and Michigan representatives, who will select projects and evaluate their progress. Postdoctoral fellows recruited by the University of Michigan have the opportunity to work at both the University and at the Centocor campus and to work through scientific challenges with a mentor at each location.

Centocor R&D selected the University of Michigan with which to pilot the program, based on the high level of productivity past research collaborations have yielded, and may expand the program in the coming years to other academic partners.

Barbosa said, "We look forward to nurturing the development of underrepresented minority post doctoral trainees from University of Michigan and potentially other top-tier research organizations into the next generation of scientific leaders."

About Centocor Research and Development, Inc.

Centocor is dedicated to the research and development of treatments for a wide range of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, such as arthritis, and inflammatory skin diseases, and for cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic and infectious diseases. Developed primarily through monoclonal antibody technology, Centocor helps physicians deliver innovative treatments to improve human health and restore patients' quality of life.

SOURCE Centocor Research and Development, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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