Kjetil Taskén appointed to Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) Scientific Committee

NCMM is pleased to announce that its Director, Professor Kjetil Taskén, has been formally appointed to the IMI Scientific Committee.

Photo of Kjetil Taskén

Kjetil Taskén. Photo: John Hughes

IMI is one of the world’s biggest public-private partnerships in the life sciences. It works to speed up and improve patient access to the latest medicines and treatments, particularly where there is an unmet medical or social need.

Working to develop better treatments and diagnostics

Now in its second phase (IMI2, 2014-2020) the overall aims of the IMI are to generate the next generation of vaccines, medicines and treatments to help solve some of the most pressing health concerns.

Other projects and aims from the IMI include developing better diagnostic and treatment biomarkers, reducing the time to reach clinical proof of concept in medicine development, increasing the success rate of clinical trials, developing new therapies where this is an unmet need, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and reducing the failure rate of vaccine candidates in phase III clinical trials.

Committee provides strategic scientific advice

Professor Taskén joins a committee of 11 that will advise on scientific priorities and provide strategic advice to the IMI on the continued relevance of the Strategic Research Agenda, which is aligned to the EU’s health research priorities and the World Health Organisation’s Priority Medicines for Europe and the World Report.

Commenting on joining the Scientific Committee, Professor Taskén said:

“I am extremely honoured by this appointment. The IMI works to address some of the most pressing health issues that society is facing. It is therefore a great privilege to be appointed to their Scientific Committee, and to have the opportunity to work alongside so many globally-recognised experts from a variety of fields.

“I am excited by the prospect of being able to contribute some of my expertise and experience towards helping the IMI, and the Scientific Committee, achieve their strategic aims.”

Professor Taskén has been appointed for an initial term of two years. He joins a range of globally-recognised experts from across Europe. He was appointed following nomination from the IMI’s States Representatives Group and formal approval by the Board of the IMI.

About the IMI

IMI is a partnership between the European Union and the European pharmaceutical industry. With a €5 billion budget for the period 2008-2024 and a research agenda that covers the entire drug development process, it is the world’s largest public-private partnership in health research. 

Learn more at: http://www.imi.europa.eu

By Annabel Darby
Published Oct. 26, 2017 4:18 PM - Last modified Oct. 26, 2017 4:20 PM