“Partnerships don’t build themselves”

On 4 October, a number of researchers and various representatives from Uppsala University trooped across the river to Cytiva’s facility in Boländerna. They were invited to the signing of the new strategic partnership between Uppsala University and Cytiva Sweden. For many, it was perhaps above all an opportunity to talk to their research colleagues across the river.

Speeches were made, Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt and Cytiva Sweden’s CEO Inga Ljung took turns signing the agreement, and a panel discussion described the expectations, likely challenges and opportunities of the new relationship. The conversation then continued over cups of coffee.

Strong connection

“This is a great strategic partnership,” noted Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt, adding:

“Ever since Pharmacia was founded, there has been a strong link between our research at the University and the business operations. Over the years, a fantastic life science environment has grown up around this collaboration in Uppsala. And the fact that it’s within cycling distance is no bad thing either.”

But what difference does it make to researchers and students at Uppsala University that there is now a strategic partnership with Cytiva? Just as Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt noted, the two have been working together for a long time.

Helena Danielson, Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Chemistry – BMC, is partnership manager for Uppsala University. She nods in agreement when asked the question.

“That’s right. Cytiva is a large organisation whose activities are important both for us at Uppsala University and for the entire life science cluster in Uppsala. The difference is that now, through the strategic partnership, we have the opportunity to decide together how we want to work over the long term. We can build forms of collaboration that are not dependent on the occasional involvement of individuals,” she explains.

Smooth interfaces

Simpler routes into each organisation, with smooth interfaces, are one of the things that Danielson hopes to achieve relatively quickly. These are just hygiene factors, however.

“The first major questions we need to address are what we are already doing well together, and can learn from, what we are not doing so well today, and what we can do about it. Also, what we might not even be trying to do now, but should be aiming for,” she adds.

How far will we have come in a year’s time?

“I’m not sure that everyone at the University today fully recognises the benefits of the partnership, but I hope we will have changed that in a year’s time. I believe that we will then have a clear idea of how to work to maximise the synergies of our joint work. But partnerships don’t build themselves and those efforts will need to be given time.”

Are you already seeing concrete areas in which you think we can achieve that type of synergy?

“If we establish smoother contact interfaces, I believe that we will be able to utilise each other’s infrastructures and expertise in a mutually beneficial way. Cytiva has instruments and expertise that we would like to capitalise on, while we have other instruments and expertise that I think Cytiva would benefit from. For example, it could form part of degree projects, which we know are a great way to collaborate while also giving students important experience in industry. Another way is through lectures – building a network for knowledge exchange through long-term contacts.”

The work to develop the partnership at Uppsala University also involves Helena Bysell, collaboration manager at Uppsala University’s Innovation Partnership Office. She serves as the project’s partnership manager.

“At the moment, Helena Danielson and I are working hard to develop an activity plan for 2025 together with Cytiva. It will be an exciting year. As a partnership manager, my job is very much about being responsive and listening to the needs of different parts of our organisations, so that we can package and prioritise concrete activities. If you already have questions and concerns about the partnerships, please feel free to contact me.”

Marie-Louise Olsen