UCL Institute of Ophthalmology deepens collaboration with Santen, Japan

4 March 2022

Santen establishes its first external research laboratory in Europe at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in London, with support from UCL Translational Research Office

The UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (IoO) and Santen, a world-leading ophthalmic pharmaceutical company based in Japan, have agreed to develop a new research unit to support investigation into how to prevent and reverse damage caused to the optic nerve and retina by glaucoma.

The new initiative represents Santen’s first research laboratory in Europe, and the lab will facilitate even greater collaboration between Santen and UCL IoO scientists, allowing deeper research on projects of mutual interest.

This is the latest development in the long-standing relationship between UCL and Santen, where Santen has been supporting the IoO with PhD studentships, symposia, and networking opportunities over the last few years, with facilitation from UCL’s Japan ambassador and IoO Professor Shin-Ichi Ohnuma.

The new research unit has recruited two dedicated post-doctoral scientists to launch the new initiative, including UCL student Will Lamb, who recently completed his PhD studies with sponsorship from Santen and will continue to carry out his research while embedded within the IoO.

UCL IoO Director, Professor Andrew Dick said: “This is an exciting new development in our strategic partnership with Santen, which has been going from strength to strength since the original memorandum-of-understanding in 2016. I’m grateful to everyone involved for their enthusiasm and dedication to foster the research potential of this partnership; and to UCL Translational Research Office for supporting the IoO’s vision to expand our translational research to generate better therapies, diagnostics and knowledge of eye care.”

The UCL Translational Research Office (TRO) has been supporting and facilitating this collaboration with the understanding of the overall intent of breaking down industry/academic silos by continuing to contribute to the pursuit of therapeutic translational excellence and to training the next generation.

Dr Jane Kinghorn, UCL TRO Director said: “Santen has made a large investment in ophthalmology training & research at the IoO. This research collaboration is an evolution of that commitment with the first Santen employee embedded within the institution. We look forward to supporting this collaboration in the years to come with many more joint research collaboration projects joining the managed portfolio.”

Luis Iglesias, President and Head of Santen EMEA said: “I am delighted to have established a new European research laboratory at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in London. The investigations that will now take place in the United Kingdom bring us a step closer to finding new solutions for eye diseases and complements work ongoing around the world in our research hubs in Singapore and Japan.”

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