The Open Discovery Innovation Network (ODIN) is an open research collaboration, first established as a pilot project in 2020 between Aarhus University and several international pharmaceutical companies. In 2024, ODIN was extended for a further five years.
The idea behind ODIN is to help the life sciences in Denmark improve their ability to convert research results into new products and solutions. Without the restrictive framework of patents, the ODIN collaboration boosts and uses the collective thinking and creativity of the participating university and industry researchers, enabling them to jointly refine ideas and develop projects. Although ODIN’s open results cannot be patented, everyone is free to customize and, based on that, develop products that can be commercially protected.
Five Danish universities are now involved in the collaboration: Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark, Aalborg University, and the University of Southern Denmark. Other universities, hospitals, and knowledge institutions worldwide can participate in ODIN projects as co-applicants.
In 2024-2028, the main focus is on drug discovery and better diagnostics within three major disease areas that pose major threats to human health: cardiometabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and infectious diseases.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation awarded a grant of DKK 54.5 million for the pilot phase and an additional DKK 180.2 million for the period 2024-2028.
Read more here.
