Elsevier launches Hive project to promote innovation in early drug discovery

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, has announced that its incubator project for biotech and pharmaceutical start-up firms, is now open for nominations and applications.

The Hive is an Elsevier R&D Solutions collaboration with a select group of biotech and pharmaceutical start-up companies; aiming to showcase the importance of empowering early stage drug discovery and development, and demonstrate how research teams can overcome R&D bottlenecks and challenges. With up to five firms to be chosen in 2016, participants will benefit from increased visibility of their work across the pharma R&D community, as well as enhanced research productivity via complimentary access to Elsevier's suite of information solutions, including user training and support.

'We've seen in recent years that over 60% of drug discoveries originate outside the walls of the traditional pharma companies, and almost half of the industry's R&D pipelines are externally sourced- from open innovation initiatives, from academia, or from small biotech start-ups,' said Alexander Van Boetzelaer, Managing Director, Elsevier R&D Solutions. 'The Hive will not only help highlight innovative start-ups and give them a platform to promote their innovation, but also enable the wider pharma R&D ecosystem to learn from these very young and nimble organisations.'

Elsevier R&D Solutions are designed to fuel research and decision-making in early stage drug discovery and development, and are utilised on a daily basis by most of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. In an ultra-competitive environment that demands rapid results, early access to a broad base of industry research is crucial to reduce the likelihood of costly late stage failures and mitigate risk.

In addition to providing successful applicants with increased exposure to the life sciences community and complimentary access to Elsevier resources, The Hive will engage the wider pharma R&D community via case studies and other digital content featuring the participants; which will be widely-promoted throughout Elsevier's online and social networks. Individuals and companies following The Hive will have the chance to hear directly from the participating companies, while supporting and learning from their research projects.

'Elsevier's mission is to fuel discovery, drive innovation and improve health care. Projects such as The Hive empower the innovative organisations and individuals that are working to create miracles for those suffering from some form of illness,' commented Tim Hoctor, VP of Life Sciences Solution Services, Elsevier. 'Whether through creating awareness and community engagement, or through access to our services, Elsevier will continue to nurture and develop the initiatives that will drive successful pharmaceutical research and improve the lives of patients.'

The best candidates for The Hive are biotech and pharmaceutical start-ups and other small companies actively engaged in advancing early stage research, with a minimum of three scientists on staff. Potential candidates will be assessed on a number of criteria. Rolling enrollment commences on 20 April  2016; candidate companies may apply or be nominated for The Hive. Candidates will complete a questionnaire about their research, funding, and goals over the next 12 months, and selected candidates will be invited to participate in a phone interview before the final selection.

For more information and to nominate a company for The Hive, please visit: www.elsevier.com/thehive.