When Academia and Industry Join Forces: University of Szeged and MSD Establish Joint Department

SZTE and MSD have established a joint, sector-specific academic department, elevating their collaboration to new heights. This expanded partnership is designed to harness the synergy between academic expertise and industry insight, promoting knowledge exchange and driving innovation. The new department is fully integrated into the University of Szeged’s high-quality educational framework, further strengthening its academic portfolio. At the same time, it offers students interested in pharmaceutical development valuable professional perspectives and hands-on experience.

Prof. Dr. László Rovó, Rector of the University of Szeged

At the ceremonial signing event, Prof. Dr. László Rovó, Rector of the University of Szeged emphasized: “This agreement to establish a department in partnership with industry marks a significant milestone for our institution in several respects. First and foremost, pharmaceutical research is one of the University’s five key research areas of ‘excellence’, alongside translational medicine; biology and environmental sciences; materials science and photonics; and mathematical sciences and smart systems. According to subject-specific rankings published by the British agency Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) on March 12, 2025, the University of Szeged ranked first in Hungary in the field of pharmacy and pharmacology, placing in the 251–300 range globally. This achievement reflects the Faculty of Pharmacy’s commitment to innovation and its strong network of international educational and research collaborations – of which this partnership is a prime example. This academic year also saw the launch of four new programs, with MSD becoming a key partner not only in the Master’s program in pharmaceutical R&D management but also in training professionals in clinical research management.” He added, “This brings us to another important point: as a practicing physician involved in teaching, research, and patient care, I am personally committed to expanding access to innovative therapies for patients in the Southern Great Plain region of Hungary through clinical research. I also strongly advocate for our students to receive the highest quality education in this field, and having a practical training partner like MSD ensures that we can deliver on this promise.”

Prof. Dr. Ildikó Csóka, Vice-Chancellor and Director-General for Strategic Planning, remarked: “For years, we have been systematically building our industrial partnerships and developing the partner management system that will allow us to make the University of Szeged’s capacities accessible to those interested in our research infrastructure and educational collaboration opportunities. We also aim to run various dual training and internship programs with our partners. The field of medical and health sciences is particularly practice-oriented, and it would be inconceivable without the Szent-Györgyi Albert Clinical Center and international partnerships like the long-standing relationship we have with MSD. In this context, it is my pleasure to welcome MSD in this new role, as a partner in both the newly accredited Phase I clinical pharmacology research site and the Phase II and III clinical trials conducted at our clinics. They have committed themselves to areas that are considered key to Hungary’s competitiveness, particularly in nurturing talent, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and in the joint development of new innovative therapies.”

Prof. Dr. Zsolt Szakonyi, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Szeged

Prof. Dr. Zsolt Szakonyi, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, stated: “In a world where we constantly face new challenges, such as rapidly evolving diseases and issues with resistance, pharmaceutical development and innovation are key. Both MSD and the University of Szeged are leaders in their respective fields. This newly established industry-focused department complements the recently formed triple unit, closely linked to our faculty, consisting of the Institute of Clinical Pharmacy at the Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, the Clinical Pharmacy Institute at the Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology and Regulatory Affairs at the Faculty of Pharmacy. The combination of academic knowledge and corporate experience creates a synergy that will enable us to accelerate drug development processes, strengthen translational research, and implement real, patient-centered solutions.”

László Bódis, Deputy State Secretary for Innovation

László Bódis, Deputy State Secretary for Innovation, emphasized: “The government’s strategic objective is to connect universities and research institutes with the corporate sector – industry and venture capital investors – ensuring that the knowledge created at universities is more effectively utilized in the economy. One of the highest forms of university-industry collaboration is the establishment of a joint department, as it represents a long-term commitment from both partners not only in education but also in research and innovation. Furthermore, this partnership is part of the University of Szeged and MSD’s collaboration within one of the key focus areas of the Neumann János Program: the health industry.”

Dr. Szabolcs Barótfi, Clinical Research Director at MSD Hungary

Dr. Szabolcs Barótfi, Clinical Research Director at MSD Hungary, stated: “The University of Szeged is one of our longest-standing and most important partners. With its professionally trained and internationally recognized experts, as well as its excellent research infrastructure, it provides the highest standards for scientific research. Two years ago, we signed a strategic agreement with SZTE, the first of its kind among Hungarian universities, initially focusing on clinical trials. The aim was to foster closer collaboration, ensure priority access to innovative clinical trial technologies, accelerate the initiation of trials, and increase their volume. However, even then, we expressed our intention to collaborate in other areas, such as education and research. The next phase of knowledge transfer began in 2024 when the University of Szeged’s Faculty of Pharmacy launched a master’s program in pharmaceutical research management, with MSD experts playing a key role. Building on this, MSD also contributed to three specialized clinical research courses, further strengthening the collaboration between academia and industry. Leveraging our successful partnership, we took it to the next level by establishing the SZTE-MSD Industry Partnership Department, a dedicated academic department focused on pharmaceutical research and education. Its aim is not only to enhance the ongoing educational programs but also, based on demand, to launch additional collaborations such as PhD programs or student research projects. For students, one of the greatest benefits of the joint department is having the opportunity to visit MSD’s offices and gain firsthand insight into the operations of one of the pharmaceutical industry’s most active companies in the field of clinical research – all within the framework of their academic education.”

Also speaking at the event, Sean R. Smith, Managing Director of MSD Hungary, emphasized: “It is a great honor for us that one of Hungary’s leading and internationally recognized academic institutions has chosen MSD as its educational partner in the field of pharmaceutical research. We are proud that our collaboration fills a gap, given that there is currently no other educational partnership of this kind in Hungary focused on innovative drug research. The joint mission of the University of Szeged and MSD is to support patient recovery through high-quality education and research, and to train Hungarian professionals capable of contributing to the development of innovative therapies.”

Sean R. Smith, Managing Director of MSD Hungary

The Director added: “As one of the leading players in clinical research in Hungary, we currently conduct over 100 clinical trials at 270 sites nationwide, involving nearly 2,000 volunteer patients – all in full compliance with stringent ethical and regulatory standards. Our goal is to bring innovative treatments closer to people. Each year, MSD invests a significant amount in clinical research programs in Hungary, with one-third of that investment allocated in the form of medications. This not only reduces the strain on the national pharmaceutical budget but also ensures wider access to cutting-edge therapies.”

MSD reinvests more than a quarter of its annual global revenue into research and development, a commitment that reinforces its position as a global leader in innovation. This dedication is clearly reflected in the company’s strong presence in Hungary, where it collaborates with scientific, governmental, and industry partners to advance innovation and develop cutting-edge therapies that enhance patient outcomes. With over three decades of continuous operation in Hungary, MSD has become a trusted key partner in the scientific community, remaining steadfast in its commitment to building further strategic collaborations – particularly in ensuring excellence in clinical research and supporting data-driven decision-making in healthcare.

Source: SZTEinfo

Photos: Ádám Kovács-Jerney