University of Ljubljana and Novartis Slovenia sign cooperation agreement

The Rector of the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Dr Gregor Majdič, highlighted the importance of the strategic cooperation agreement for Slovenia's future development. “The pharmaceutical industry is a cornerstone of the Slovenian economy, contributing 34% of national exports and delivering high added value due to its strong focus in development. Novartis is currently investing in a state-of-the-art development centre and high-tech production facilities that will employ numerous Slovenian experts. One of the main reasons for investing in Slovenia is the country’s excellent pool of human resources, most of which come from our University. I believe that the signing of this strategic agreement will further deepen the already excellent cooperation between Novartis and the University of Ljubljana. I would like to see more strategic partnerships of this kind, as only investment in development will propel Slovenia towards becoming a prosperous society while adhering to sustainable goals for the preservation of our planet."

At the signing ceremony, Dr Petra Štefanič Anderluh, General Manager of Novartis d.o.o., stated, “Collaboration between academia and the private sector is critical in fostering knowledge, advancing science, and developing innovative solutions. Novartis takes great pride in promoting and implementing partnerships between academic institutions and industrial research. Over the years, this synergy has resulted in many successful projects and innovations. Together, we are growing and enhancing the strength and global reputation of Slovenian expertise. By signing the strategic partnership agreement with the University of Ljubljana, we aim to further solidify and expand this collaboration, setting clear paths for advancing science and cultivating young professionals capable of addressing future challenges.”

The Vice-Rector for Knowledge Transfer, Digitalisation and Sustainable Development at the University of Ljubljana, Professor Dr Maja Klun, explained that the agreement will further strengthen joint endeavours between the University of Ljubljana and Novartis in the search for new solutions and innovations, not only in pharmaceutics, but much more broadly. “The agreement facilitates collaboration between interdisciplinary teams of researchers and Novartis in areas such as process development, tool creation, material innovation, and software development. By approaching challenges from a broader perspective, we unlock greater opportunities for innovation, ultimately advancing science in ways that directly benefit society as a whole.”

Dr Mateja Kramer, Global Head of Innovation in Technical Research and Development at Novartis d.o.o., stressed that the new agreement opens up even more opportunities for the University of Ljubljana and Novartis to work together beyond Slovenia’s borders. In today’s rapidly evolving ecosystem, where science and technology are advancing at an unprecedented pace, collaboration across disciplines and teams is crucial. Diverse teams bring a range of perspectives, experiences, and knowledge, which foster more innovative solutions and improved scientific outcomes. This approach is particularly important in healthcare, where various ideas and methodologies can significantly accelerate the development of new therapies and improve patient care.

The agreement was signed during the Novartis Open Academia Day event, where the company showcased its strategic development priorities for 2025. The event also highlighted the successful outcomes of joint projects between Novartis, researchers from the University of Ljubljana, and other public research institutions.