Universities in Denmark are working tirelessly to ensure that more companies emerge from research environments. At the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University, we share the political focus on this area, as the practical application of university ideas in start-ups promotes growth and welfare in society – and has the potential to improve the lives of millions of patients.

However, there is also an increasing political focus on earmarking funds for specific strategic research themes. For example, the Danish Independent Research Fund has received more money in the past ten years, but fewer unrestricted funds. Concurrently, a larger proportion of academic research is being financed by private foundations, which have their own priorities, such as inequality or green transition.

These are undoubtedly important topics. However, if there are fewer entirely free funds, free research will face more challenging conditions – and it is our belief that this will ultimately lead to fewer successful spinouts.

It all starts in the laboratory

The Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University is an example of how free research leads to groundbreaking discoveries, providing greater insight into the complex physiology of humans. This insight forms the basis for the development of new drugs to treat diseases. Through scientific discoveries, the institute has been the birthplace of several promising spinouts, which since 2015 have received financing from external investors of well over two billion kroner. Most recently, in November 2023, the company NMD Pharma received another investment of over 500 million kroner, enabling it to come closer to developing new medicine for people suffering from rare neuromuscular diseases such as the feared ALS.

The ideas are born in the laboratories at Aarhus University, but the large investments – mainly from foreign investors – show that there is a belief in these projects globally.

When holding a pill, one seldom thinks about how it came to be. However, developing a drug from idea to approval takes on average 10-15 years and often costs more than 1 billion USD. It all begins in the laboratory – for example, at the country's universities – when skilled researchers experience trust and freedom to pursue their own ideas and deviate from the straight path. A breakthrough can happen in seemingly failed experiments or unexpected observations. Free research allows scientists to navigate through challenges without being limited by narrow guidelines or short-term goals.

Bold questions and unconventional ideas

At the Faculty of Health in Aarhus, we try to bring new treatments and medical technology from the laboratory to the patient. This happens, among other things, when researchers decide to realize discoveries in a spin-out company that attracts investments and jobs.

Free research is essential for achieving major breakthroughs with the potential to revolutionize treatments and save lives. We saw this, for instance, during the Corona pandemic, when research in RNA modifications enabled the development of effective vaccines against Covid-19.

As Nobel Prize recipient Jens Chr. Skou pointed out, researchers must have the freedom to explore unknown areas, ask bold questions, and pursue unconventional ideas. And we must have and demonstrate trust in this process. Therefore, it is important that free research is not eroded by strategic framework allocations.

The opinion piece is written by institute leader Thomas G. Jensen, chief consultant Jane Palsgaard, professor Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen, and senior researcher Claus Olesen - Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University. It was published in Sundhedsmonitor on January 11, 2024.