28.01.2021

Wyss Center joins Wellcome Leap global network dedicated to accelerated breakthroughs in human health

Collaboration

Charter group of 21 world-class institutions representing a network of over 150,000 researchers across six continents sign agreement that sets new bar for fast-paced research and development.

Geneva, Switzerland: The Wyss Center announced today that it has joined the Leap Health Breakthrough Network, a global group of leading academic and research institutions committed to solving the world’s most serious health challenges — such as cancer and infectious diseases — at record speed. Wellcome Leap is a U.S. non-profit organization founded by the Wellcome Trust to accelerate innovations that benefit global health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of tackling urgent, large-scale health challenges quickly and across disciplines, organizations, and borders. It is imperative that good ideas are identified and funded quickly, and that researchers across many institutions can build solutions together.

Currently it can take as long as a year to finalize a research funding agreement, and when collaboration is required, work frequently cannot begin until all parties are signed — further prolonging the delay. What is more, key components needed to catalyze innovation sometimes come from individual researchers or smaller institutions that are often left out of major research initiatives. Breakthroughs require momentum, and diverse capabilities, wherever they exist globally.

“The Wyss Center shares in Wellcome Leap’s vision to spur global innovation and remove barriers to funding. We look forward to working alongside our distinguished partners and contributing our deep knowledge of neuroscience and neurotechnology translation to accelerate breakthroughs in human health.” said Tracy Laabs, PhD, Chief Development Officer at the Wyss Center.

The Leap Health Breakthrough Network will help eliminate barriers to progress thanks to the first-of-its-kind Master Academic Research Funding Agreement (MARFA), which equitably addresses all terms and conditions, including IP, ownership, and publication. Now that the Wyss Center has signed the MARFA, it will need to negotiate only the statement of work and cost before funds can be transmitted and work can begin. Often in days, shaving months or more off development timelines.

“The Wyss Center in Geneva is excited to be part of the Wellcome Leap community, we can now connect and collaborate with researchers around the world even faster, towards the translation of visionary science and technology to the clinic.” said Wyss Center’s CEO, Mary Tolikas, PhD, MBA.