Enabling of a translational centre for drug development by embedding Pfizer scientist in the Karolinska Institute

Purpose and goal

The primary goal of the project was to identify novel drug targets and biomarkers related to metabolism and inflammation in cardiovascular disease. The secondary goal was to evaluate an embedded model of industry-academia collaboration.

Expected results and effects

The project led to the identification of gene variants connected to differential expression of almost 100 protein biomarkers, some of which are related to cardiovascular disease risk and prognosis. Causality assessment of the protein biomarkers identified several potential drug targets, including the matrix metalloproteinase 12, which was published in Journal of Internal Medicine 2017. The secondary goal was also fulfilled since both project partners found the embedded model to be effective with generating new knowledge.

Planned approach and implementation

The project coordinator moved from his current position as senior scientist at Pfizer in Cambridge UK to Pfizer AB, located in Stockholm, with the purpose of spending 3 years in the Cardiovascular Medicine group at Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet. As embedded industry scientist in an academic group, the project coordinator were able to use resources from both Pfizer and the KI to address key questions in the area of genetics, proteomics and cardiometabolic disease. The project also led to several new subprojects being kicked off.