Our Open Innovation programmes are based on mutual trust and reward innovation, including in the context of intellectual property (IP) rights. If a collaboration is agreed, the party that has pre-existing IP, or generates IP, will retain their rights on the target or approach. However, we would expect first right of negotiation to in-license the lead series derived from projects in which our compound libraries are screened. 

We do not typically provide funding for collaborations using AstraZeneca molecules or libraries. However, we provide sufficient AstraZeneca molecules to enable research studies as well as access to necessary data to support experiment design and interpretation of results. We will also provide a letter of support to accompany a funding application. 

We are committed to the same ethical policies that are practiced during grant and manuscript peer-reviews. We will not use or disclose information you submit, unless you approve in writing, or the information becomes public, is separately received or independently developed. 

Our Open Innovation programme supports agreement terms that facilitate participation, open collaborative brainstorming and problem solving, and are consistent with well-established and tested academic-industry agreement structures. While the terms and conditions of the collaboration are determined on a case by case basis with your organisation, broadly applicable terms and conditions include:  

• Pre-existing IP retained with the original owner
• New IP follows ownership framework taking into account the contribution of each party and where possible using the well-established academic-industry templates
• Publications are encouraged after allowing AstraZeneca to comment
• Patent(s) are encouraged to be filed (if applicable), with AstraZeneca confidential information remaining protected
• If the collaboration generates positive findings, AstraZeneca has an option to negotiate a license to further advance the findings towards positive patient benefits and commercialisation
• For compounds ‘live’ in development, AstraZeneca minimally receives non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid license, with the right to sublicense without limitation, for all purposes for project IP

In general, Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) and/or Clinical Trial Agreement (CTA) are/is negotiated for an agreed upon Full Project Proposal/Plan. 

• Ownership of project IP and rewards (e.g. royalties) if positive data found are based on multiple factors including regional/country standards, IP policies and the current development stage/status of the compound 
• AstraZeneca has at least an option to negotiate a license for project IP