To help them reach their conclusions, the students will spend one day a week in the company of MedImmune’s scientists and learn about many aspects of drug development, including manufacturing, regulation and pricing. They will also have an opportunity to see MedImmune’s state-of-the-art laboratories at Granta Park, south of Cambridge. In addition, there will be sessions which focus on operational concerns such as the importance of team working and collaboration, and on the issues facing patients, government and industry on a global scale.
Jacqui Hall, MedImmune’s Vice President, Learning Standards and Insights, commented: “MedImmune is committed to inspiring the scientists of the future and to encouraging those at school to consider a career in life sciences. We are enthusiastic supporters of science education and encourage our employees to cultivate the link between science and medicine within the wider community. We have an established outreach programme which reaches into local schools and are delighted to have formed this new relationship with UTC, who will be our neighbours when we relocate to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.”
Melanie Radford, Principal of UTC commented: “UTC Cambridge is very pleased to have introduced this Challenge Project with MedImmune. One of UTC’s key objectives is to provide outstanding educational opportunities for learners aged 14-19, so that when they leave us they will be confident, enthusiastic, highly- skilled and qualified to enter higher education, further specialist training, apprenticeships or to move effectively into industry. This initiative with MedImmune is just part of this offering but is already providing immensely valuable learning and insights about pharmaceutical development and the associated career options to all our Year Ten students.”
At the end of the six-week challenge, the students will be expected to present their thoughts and findings to a team of MedImmune’s senior managers and UTC lecturers, followed by a prize-giving ceremony for the best presentations.
About MedImmune
MedImmune is the worldwide biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines. MedImmune is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across key therapeutic areas, including respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity; cardiovascular and metabolic disease; oncology; neuroscience; and infection and vaccines. The MedImmune headquarters is located in Gaithersburg, Md., one of AstraZeneca’s three global R&D centers. For more information, please visit www.medimmune.com
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Rowena Gardner, [email protected], +44 (0) 7801 480569
Susannah Budington, [email protected], (301) 398-6717
Alisha Martin, [email protected], (443) 566-2965
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