Public–Private Partnership in Biobanking: The Model of the BBMRI-ERIC Expert Centre

Abstract

Biobanks for medical research provide access to human samples and associated data donated by donors or patients. They are typically established and operated by public institutions (e.g., universities, hospitals) and act as trusted partners for the resources, which are considered a common good for the advancement of biomedical research and healthcare. Although the ultimate expectation of donors and patients that their donation will contribute to improving healthcare can only be achieved if profit-oriented industry is able to access their samples and data, there are concerns whenever private companies generate profit based on public resources. In order to overcome this controversy, public–private partnerships, where joint efforts generate value both for the public and private sectors, could be an appealing solution. The BBMRI-ERIC-recognized Expert Centre (EC) is a model for such a partnership. ECs perform analysis of biological samples under highly standardized conditions and in accordance with ethical and legal requirements to generate high-quality data that can be used by industry for product development, and by the public, after a defined period of exclusive use for industry. Thus, expendable biological samples that otherwise could be used only by a small group of researchers are transformed into high-quality data that can be widely shared and used to advance biomedical research and development.