Pharmaceutical Business review

AstraZeneca, PatientsLikeMe enter five-year research collaboration

Under the five-year deal, AstraZeneca will have access to PatientsLikeMe’s global network in support of its patient-driven research initiatives.

AstraZeneca Global Medicines Development EVP Briggs Morrison said: "Understanding what patients are experiencing every day and how they define the value of their treatments are fundamental to our ability to push the boundaries of science in developing the next-generation of medicines.

"Our partnership with PatientsLikeMe will help us to harness the important perspectives of patients through their advanced technology and real-world, real-time evidence to support our research and development programmes."

The deal will see AstraZeneca use patient-reported data from PatientsLikeMe to shape future medicine development.

The data will also help improve outcomes across its main therapeutic areas, with an initial focus on respiratory disease, lupus, diabetes and oncology.

PatientsLikeMe Life Sciences Ventures executive vice-president Ed Godber said: "The wide-ranging collaboration with AstraZeneca also marks a significant step in realising PatientsLikeMe’s mission to make patients true partners in science.

"It’s rare to find a partner so committed to listening to and integrating the patient voice into the heart of its scientific development and operations.

"We’re excited to work together to transform the discovery and healthcare model and develop products and services tailored to what patients experience and truly need."