Strategic three-party collaboration in precision medicine

The partnership aims to create the right conditions for developing and implementing personalised diagnostics, treatment and follow‑up. By bringing together the research expertise of academia, the clinical expertise of healthcare services and the industry’s innovation capacity, the opportunities to translate research into practical benefits for patients are significantly enhanced.

Purpose and focus

The collaboration focuses on:

• promoting the development and clinical application of precision medicine
• strengthening translational research and the pathway from early discoveries to clinical use
• increasing access to new diagnostic and therapeutic methods
• establishing long‑term structures for collaboration between healthcare, academia and the industry
• contributing to a more efficient and sustainable healthcare system.

The work spans several medical areas, including oncology, respiratory and immunological diseases, cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, and kidney and liver diseases. The partnership covers the entire chain from research and development to clinical trials, biomarker development, health data and technical platforms, and education and skills.

Ways of working and partnership structures

Collaborative efforts range from advanced imaging and proteomics to clinical development programmes and initiatives that strengthen education in clinical trials and precision medicine. The partnership also includes support structures essential for implementing and developing joint initiatives over time. These include shared legal processes and agreements, procedures for managing health data, educational initiatives, and technical platforms. Together, these structures enable joint initiatives to be initiated and expanded.

The partnership is continuously developed by:

• identifying new projects and research opportunities
• strengthening the conduct of clinical studies
• developing shared structures for managing and using health data
• establishing forums and working groups for knowledge exchange.

Governance and organisation

A joint steering committee with representatives from all three organisations leads the partnership. Operational work is carried out by a coordination team, together with several project groups in priority areas. Precision Medicine Center Karolinska (PMCK), a joint initiative between Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, serves as a central hub for the partnership and contributes coordination, expertise and support in the development of precision medicine. This structure lays the foundation for long‑term, coordinated and needs‑driven collaboration.

Joint steering committee 

Karolinska Institutet

• Annika Östman Wernerson, President, Karolinska Institutet
• Martin Bergö, Vice President, Karolinska Institutet
• Päivi Östling, Scientific Lead for Precision Medicine at SciLifeLab, Karolinska Institutet
• Richard Cowburn, Head of External Engagement, Karolinska Institutet

Karolinska University Hospital

• Christophe Pedroletti, CEO, Karolinska University Hospital
• Patrik Rossi, Chair, Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Centre
• Anna Wedell, Head of Precision Medicine Center Karolinska
• Sophie Monsén Lerenius, Strategic Partnership Manager, Precision Medicine Center Karolinska

AstraZeneca

• Emelie Antoni, CEO Nordic Marketing Company, AstraZeneca
• Regina Fritsche Danielson, SVP Early CVRM, AstraZeneca
• Johanna Lidén, Director of Nordic and Sweden Medical and Regulatory Affairs, AstraZeneca
• Anna Sandström, Senior Director Science Policy and Relations Europe, AstraZeneca

Joint communications team

• Emelie Håkansson, Business Developer, Precision Medicine Center Karolinska
• Annika Östman, Communications Strategist, Karolinska University Hospital
• Andrea Prander, Communications Officer, Karolinska Institutet
• Charlotta Luciani, Communication Director, AstraZeneca