17 April 2024

Our LEO Foundation Center's strategic review approved: What did the panel say?

Pharma Research

In November, our LEO Foundation Center for Cutaneous Drug Delivery (LFCCDD) here at IF was subject to a strategic review by an international panel of experts, resulting in a report that recently was discussed and approved by the LEO Foundation.

Group photo of LFCCDD leaders and review panel.
From left to right: Professor Martin Malmsten, Professor Marjana Tomic-Canic, Professor Ryan Donnelly, Associate Professor Andrea Heinz, Assistant Professor Stine Rønholt, Associate Professor Mariena van der Plas, Professor Calum Drummond and Associate Professor Pankaj Karande.

The panel consisted of Chair Professor Calum Drummond from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Professor Marjana Tomic-Canic, University of Miami, Professor Ryan Donnelly, Queen’s University Belfast and Associate Professor Pankaj Karande from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Two days of intensive work

The panel members spent two days in Copenhagen where they met the center staff, Head of Department Jukka Rantanen and LEO Foundation representatives. After the visit, they summarized their impressions and recommendations in their report, focusing on key strengths, key opportunities, and recommendations.

Main conclusions from the panel report – the short version:

What are the key strengths of LFCCDD

Overall, the panel is very happy with the development of the center and notes an excellent track record regarding publications and external funding. It also highlights the cohesive center construction, exemplary leadership, good mentoring, an enabling culture, and committed staff, and that individual projects share a common tread, enabling joint themes.

LFCCDD opportunities

Furthermore, the panel notes the proximity to the large-scale MAX IV and ESS facilities as a competitive advantage for the center. Based on these considerations, the panel sees opportunities for the center to intensity its international ambitions regarding both funding and collaborations, as well as to further develop translational activities and the position of the center within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (SUND) at the University of Copenhagen.

Recommendations for future development of LFCCDD

In addition, the panel recommends some aspects to be considered in the continued development of the center, including the teaching load of center staff, laboratory space, and strategies for future funding of the center.

Research Director and Principal Investigator of LFCCDD Professor Martin Malmsten concludes: “Taken together, this favourable and constructive review reassures us that the center is doing well and has great potential for further development. As a leader, I am both pleased and very proud.”

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