Abstract

The discovery of novel therapeutic targets that translate into clinical successes is needed in order to deliver life changing medicines to cancer patients. In 2019 AstraZeneca launched a partnership with Cancer Research Horizons to create a new Functional Genomics Centre (FGC) with the vision of becoming a world leading centre for genetic screens, cancer models, CRISPR vector design and computational approaches to big data. Our goal is focused on identifying novel targets and resistance mechanisms to create new cancer medicines. At 3 years since launch, we have delivered 53 projects comprised of 418 pooled CRISPR screens across 137 cell models - all powered through partnership. Though partnership is not without challenges, it has enabled us to seamlessly collaborate on project delivery and technology development, while in parallel allowing us keep proprietary information (e.g. hits/targets) separate. The partnership allows any technology developed to be freely used by both organisations and serves as a foundation for engaging on R&D with the wider academic community. Taken together, the FGC illustrates the power of partnership in moving organisations forward faster and creating new opportunities.