ØDA Activities 2008

Centre of Excellence for Clinical Diabetes Research

 3 November 2008 / Copenhagen / Denmark

On 3 November 2008, ØDA held a workshop at the Carlsberg Academy. The objective was to investigate the opportunities for and context around the formation of a regional Centre of Excellence for translating Diabetes Research into the Clinic (CEDRIC).

Why is such a centre important? It is important because regional cooperation and focus between existing strong research institutions, hospitals, industry, and patient organisations will enable synergy and liberate the potential of the region. It will allow the region to become world leading within diabetes research, treatment and training in the near future. Medicon Valley already has a very strong position thanks to a highly effective registration of patients, many years of experience from working with diabetes, a strong academic environment, and a research oriented supportive industry.

But our position is threatened. With the economic development in Eastern Europe and Asia, it is becoming increasingly more attractive to carry out research and development in these regions. High quality will be bought where the price is lowest. However, we believe that Medicon Valley offers other benefits than high quality research. The region houses appx. a 170.000 diabetic population with high motivation and traceability for clinical research. There is a close proximity of stakeholders with established relations. And there is political attention on and interest in the diabetes problem. These drivers towards the development of a world leading diabetes effort in research, development and training must however be coordinated.

Thus it is time to discuss what can be done. Among other things, what we can do to keep more clinical research in Medicon Valley, to strengthen the research, to secure even better treatment and registration of patients, and to brand Medicon Valley's competences within diabetes. The aim is to create a unique cooperation among the many different and important stakeholders in Medicon Valley in order to create a regional Centre of Excellence for Clinical Diabetes Research.

A Fruitful Day with Enthusiasm about a Future Centre of Excellence

The 21 Danish/Swedish participants at the workshop represented industry, universities, hospitals, patient associations, and the three regions: Region Skåne, Region Sealand, and the Capital Region. These participants had been carefully selected to base the formation of the new centre as broadly as possible and represent different stakeholders, disciplines, and contexts.

Throughout the day the group worked themselves through a well planned programme, starting with "What is a Centre of Excellence", "What competencies do we already have in Medicon Valley?", and "Who are our competitors?", etc. During the afternoon, concepts for the "Centre of Excellence" began to emerge and the group discussed the next steps - such as, "What should the centre be focusing on during its first 1-2 years?"

Before the closing remarks, each and every one of the participants gave their personal commitment to a Medicon Valley Centre of Excellence for Clinical Diabetes Research, all of them exemplifying how they will contribute to develop such a centre.

A Joint Effort

The workshop clearly highlighted the enthusiasm that exists among the participants about a Medicon Valley centre of excellence. There is no doubt however that the development and implementation of such a centre demands an effort from all stakeholders. To succeed, this project needs to be a public-private Danish-Swedish initiative. The workshop demonstrated the will and the vision for world leadership within diabetes - the crucial point is now to take action in a joint effort.

ØDA would like to thank all participants for a fruitful and intensive day, one which was characterised by open-minded discussions and lots of ideas for the future.