Bertil Abrahamsson is new chair of SweDeliver
Just a minute… Bertil Abrahamsson, Senior Principal Scientist at AstraZeneca and new chair of the SweDeliver Center Board, who recognizes a well-oiled machinery when he sees one.
(Image removed) Bertil Abrahamsson, AstraZeneca and the SweDeliver Center Board
What motivates you to accept the chair of SweDeliver?
“New knowledge in the field of drug delivery is a key success factor for developing new products in the Swedish pharmaceutical industry. With SweDeliver, we have built a unique structure that enables us to ensure long-term progress. It will benefit both patients, society and life science, which are values that inspire me to contribute to the best of my abilities.”
What experiences will you bring to the Board?
“Today I work as a Senior Principal Scientist in biopharmacy and drug delivery at AstraZeneca and as Adjunct professor at Uppsala University's Faculty of Pharmacy. I have extensive experience of pharmaceutical innovation and development, mainly in an industrial context, but with close links to academia. In an international perspective, I am a member of AstraZeneca's global management team for pharmaceutical development, as well as the initiator and project manager for ORBITO, a research project within the Innovative Medicine Initiative that with a budget of SEK 250 million assembled 25 companies, universities and authorities.”
(Image removed) AstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal (SE)
How would you summarise SweDeliver's first year of operations?
“As one of the initiators of the center and still contributing actively to its operation, I can assure that the development is very positive in many ways. Partly in terms of the successful research that is conducted and the many results it generates, but also in the form of diversified recruitments of promising young researchers, first-rate education, growing network and fruitful collaborations.”
What will be your first step as chair of SweDeliver?
“This is a well-oiled machinery and I see no reason for immediate or major changes. In a long term perspective, we must simplify the step from laboratorial success to patient-centered results, and also develop strategic collaboration with other research consortia and open innovation companies, both within and outside Sweden.”
You are the third Chair of SweDeliver, how does that affect the continuity of the Board's work?
“Since I have been involved in the center from the start and worked closely with my predecessor, Stanko Skrtic, this shift is quite undramatic. Overall, my perception is that SweDeliver has had a healthy mix of renewal and continuity in both Center and Scientific Advisory Board respectively, which will hopefully contribute even further to the development of new and improved products resulting in increased benefit to the patients.”
Facts SWEDELIVER
- SweDeliver is a national competence center in drug delivery.
- With Uppsala University's Faculty of Pharmacy as the academic hub and 16 industrial partners, SweDeliver conducts research on parenteral, oral and pulmonary delivery of drugs.
More information
Contact
(Image removed) Christel Bergström, Center Director
SweDeliver, Uppsala University
Christel.Bergstrom@farmaci.uu.se
text: Magnus Alsne, foto: AstraZeneca