As a proud partner in the European Rare Diseases Research Alliance (ERDERA) project, EATRIS is pleased to share the launch of the Together4RD Toolkit—a new resource designed to support and strengthen collaboration between European Reference Networks (ERNs) and industry stakeholders.
Developed by Together4RD in collaboration with ERDERA, the Toolkit is the most comprehensive effort to date aimed at facilitating effective and strategic public-private partnerships in the rare disease research ecosystem.
A Resource for Building Effective Partnerships
ERNs play a critical role in rare disease research, offering pan-European reach, data infrastructure, and deep clinical and disease-specific expertise. However, many ERNs operate in fields with little previous R&D engagement and face challenges initiating partnerships with the private sector.
The Together4RD Toolkit addresses this gap by offering actionable guidance, tools, and examples to help ERNs and industry collaborate more confidently and effectively. Developed through an extensive process of outreach and co-creation with diverse stakeholders, the Toolkit reflects the priorities and expectations of both communities.
The Toolkit was officially launched in June 2025 during a public webinar, featuring:
- Dr Daria Julkowska (ERDERA coordinator)
- Prof. Maurizio Scarpa (MetabERN)
- Dr Victoria Hedley (Newcastle University, Toolkit lead author)
View the webinar summary and recording here.
What’s Inside the Toolkit?
The Toolkit is structured into three sections, each designed to support different stages of the collaboration process:
Section A: Background Knowledge
- Tool 1: The importance of public-private partnerships
- Tool 2: Examples of supporting initiatives
- Tool 3: What are ERNs?
- Tool 4: Advantages of ERNs as partners
- Tool 5: What does industry look for in ERN partnerships?
Section B: Developing the Collaborative Concept
- Tool 6: Brief summaries of Together4RD pilot projects
- Tool 7: Case studies of ERN–industry partnerships
- Tool 8: Key areas for potential collaboration
Section C: Delivering Effective Collaboration
- Tool 9: Lessons learned from the first Together4RD pilots
- Tool 10: Key recommendations for ERNs and industry
- Tool 11: Questions to ask when initiating collaboration
Access the full Toolkit Master Document here.
This news item was referred from the press release by Together4RD here.
