Buzz over Elsevier's Hive project

Elsevier has announced that The Hive, its incubator project for biotech and pharmaceutical start-up firms, is now open for nominations and applications.

The Hive is a collaboration with a 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 information solutions, including user training and support.

'We've seen in recent years that more than 60 per cent 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,' commented Alexander Van Boetzelaer, managing director at 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.'

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.  

'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.'