University of Auckland Partners with Thomson Reuters to Advance Biomedical Research Capabilities

PHILADELPHIA, March 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Intellectual Property & Science business of Thomson Reuters, the world's leading provider of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, today announced that the University of Auckland (UoA), New Zealand, selected Thomson Reuters Cortellis^® for Competitive Intelligence to grow the institution's biomedical research program and ensure future science and business professionals have access to premiere drug development data.

"Biomedical research is one of UoA's key strengths, as reflected by our high international rankings, several significant biomedical institutes/centers, and the university's Biopharma thematic research program", said Professor Joerg Kistler, director of the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology, University of Auckland.  "We are focused on ensuring we provide access to leading tools and resources across the entire value chain for drug research and development, from bench to bedside.  Databases such as Thomson Reuters Cortellis are essential to developing research programs and funding applications."

The strategic partnership between the University of Auckland and Thomson Reuters represents the beginning of a trend in medical research, where institutions are implementing commercial tools for students and researchers, to ensure both have access to the latest, most critical information for their work. It also ensures that, as students graduate and enter the workforce, they are well-prepared for their future roles and have a competitive advantage by being fluent on Thomson Reuters Cortellis.

"The students of the medical and business schools will benefit greatly from Thomson Reuters Cortellis as they learn how to work with tools used in the 'outside world,' as well as gain confidence when starting their first jobs," said Professor Kistler.

"Thomson Reuters is pleased to set this benchmark milestone with the University of Auckland," said Jon Brett-Harris, managing director of Life Sciences at Thomson Reuters. "It is a strong vote of confidence that UoA has selected Cortellis with a perpetual license for many future generations of scientists and researchers."

The solution is being used by various institutes and centers at the University of Auckland, including the School of Medical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, School of Chemical Sciences (Medicinal Chemistry), Center for Cancer Research, Maurice Wilkins Center, Liggins Institute, Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology and the University Commercialization Office.

Professor Kistler explained the importance of giving so many students and researchers access to Cortellis: "The value all the centers found in Cortellis was so high that the University Library decided to support the investment via a perpetual license. This makes UoA the first university to buy the rights to this precious data for the benefit of furthering its research and allowing its community of scientists and students to have the best tools to perform world-class research."

Thomson Reuters Cortellis for Competitive Intelligence is the premiere platform for timely and accurate life sciences information, including drug pipeline data, patents, companies and the latest industry news, providing a full picture of the competitive landscape in a selected therapy area.

Thomson Reuters
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SOURCE Thomson Reuters