Precision medicine to change clinical practice: eight innovative doctorates launched

Eight innovative doctorates in 5 universities and 4 regions (Lazio, Lombardy, Piedmont and Apulia) to open up new frontiers of research and accelerate change in clinical practice. The areas involved range from Cardiovascular to Oncology, from Neuroscience to Digital Health, up to Data Science and Omics. The three-year PhD programmes for young researchers who will also have the opportunity to spend six months in the company are co-funded by Bristol Myers Squibb Italia. This is a virtuous example of a public-private partnership with the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR). The project is presented today at a press conference in Rome.

"A global bio-pharmaceutical company like Bristol Myers Squibb keeps its eye on the future and the funding of the eight innovative PhDs fits into this context," emphasises Regina Vasiliou, Vice President, General Manager of Bristol Myers Squibb Italia. "We are a company that is attentive to research and innovation and close to the academic world. Progress in science must start from the collaboration between industry, universities, institutions and treatment centres. Bristol Myers Squibb, which has been present in Italy for almost 80 years, is among the leading companies for its commitment to research in our country, with the direct involvement of excellent facilities and researchers'. "When the MUR instituted the innovative doctorates," continues Regina Vasiliou, "we seized the opportunity to establish a partnership with some Italian universities and support the professional growth of doctoral students, which will enable them to acquire new skills and get closer to the business world. One of the objectives of Mission 4 of the PNRR is in fact the strengthening of research systems and their interaction with the world of business and institutions, which takes the form of forms of collaboration, such as public-private partnerships. The reprogramming of the PNRR has provided for an increase in the contribution to be borne by the ministry for each PhD scholarship, which is now €60,000. Bristol Myers Squibb contributed to co-funding the eight PhDs and the total investment amounted to approximately EUR 587,000.

"Clinical research represents a fundamental driver for the growth of the country system: it attracts investment, accelerates access to innovative therapies, and strengthens Italy's scientific competitiveness,' explains Roberto Poscia, Director of Clinical Research and Clinical Competence Unit AOU Policlinico Umberto I; Chairman of the Committee for Advanced Therapies AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) -. Our country continues to distinguish itself for the quality of the studies conducted, generating value for the National Health System and for patients. Despite this potential, the sector faces a critical issue: the lack of trained personnel who can be 'enrolled' in the NHS. Figures such as data managers, study coordinators and research professionals are increasingly in demand, but there is a lack of homogeneous training paths and adequate professional recognition. The result is high turnover, insufficient staffing levels and a loss of attractiveness to international sponsors. In order to fully seize the opportunities of clinical research, it is necessary to invest in training, organisational simplification and enhancement of university skills and paths. Only in this way will Italy be able to consolidate its leading role and transform research into a genuine engine of economic and health development'.

Michael May, Vice President, Head of European Medical, Bristol Myers Squibb points out that the company conducts 70 per cent of its trials in Europe: 'In the last 3 years we have also invested USD 28 billion globally in research and development projects, of which USD 11.2 billion in 2024 alone. We collaborate with the scientific community, academia, institutions and patient associations so that therapeutic innovation translates into better clinical results. In Europe, the collaboration with IHI, the Innovative Health Initiative, a major public-private partnership between the European Union and the life science industries, is strategic. With a total budget of EUR 2.4 billion, IHI funds collaborative research and innovation projects, with the aim of addressing major public health challenges, improving patient outcomes and strengthening Europe's competitiveness in healthcare globally. Through the IHI, Bristol Myers Squibb not only enhances its research and development capabilities, but also actively contributes to shaping the future of healthcare in Europe and around the world'.

The eight doctoral programmes are activated in cooperation with five Italian universities: two at the University of Bari, two at the Sapienza University of Rome, two at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, one at the Humanitas University in Milan, and one at the University of Eastern Piedmont. "The eight projects, which started in November, range from the cardiovascular area, oncology, neuroscience, digital health, data science, up to omics sciences," says Alessandro Bigagli, Senior Medical Director, Bristol Myers Squibb Italia. "Particularly important are the PhDs on precision medicine, with the aim of improving the quality of life of people suffering from serious diseases. For example, the PhD in 'Network Oncology and Precision Medicine' trains researchers in personalised oncology through the use of network medicine'. In the same vein is the project to identify potential molecular and cellular mechanisms modulated by physical activity that will help identify molecular targets to aid the clinical evaluation of multiple sclerosis patients undergoing an exercise programme and possibly develop new, increasingly personalised therapeutic treatments. "Another example is the PhD in 'Data Science in Medicine', which aims to train experts in the management and analysis of Big Data for precision medicine," Bigagli emphasises. "The 'DigiCardioPaTh' PhD aims to develop advanced skills in cardiovascular diseases, through the use of artificial intelligence, remote monitoring and innovative diagnostic solutions. BMS's capacity for innovation also stems from its continuous and fruitful collaboration with the academic world'.