University-industry Partnerships Declined in 2011, ABPI Survey Finds

An ABPI report has highlighted the importance of partnerships between universities and pharmaceutical companies and called for greater collaboration to maintain the UK's leadership in medical research.

There has been a decrease in the number of partnerships between academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies, new research shows.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) warned that greater collaboration is needed between industry and academia to ensure the country maintains its position as one of the world-leaders in drug development.

Its report, entitled 'Enriching research, training scientists', says that the UK is recognised as a "leader in medical research" and that about a fifth of the top 100 currently used medicines originated from British research.

But it warns that as partnerships and outsourcing have increased, many pharmaceutical companies