WHY DO COMPANIES JOIN ODIN?
ODIN projects are inspired by unmet medical needs and industrial challenges, co-created by companies, university researchers, and often clinicians. ODIN is best suited for early-stage or exploratory research questions that can be addressed in an open, precompetitive setting. Only results generated within ODIN projects are shared openly; companies remain free to pursue proprietary development outside the ODIN framework. Below are some of the key reasons to join ODIN as a company:
LOW-BARRIER COLLABORATION – ODIN offers a faster and more efficient way to enter academic collaborations. Since projects are precompetitive, there are no IP negotiations and less administrative complexity. There are also no direct reporting requirements for company partners.
ACCESS RELEVANT EXPERTISE, METHODS, AND PARTNERS – ODIN enables you to address challenges in your R&D pipeline or methods through needs-driven, fundamental research. We actively help identify relevant collaborators across academia, clinics, and industry who can provide access to methods, materials, and expertise that may be difficult to access in-house. Our matchmaking platform includes over 700 active members across Denmark and abroad.
DE-RISK WILD IDEAS – ODIN provides a space for exploratory R&D and long-term knowledge-building, allowing you to engage in high-uncertainty projects that complement or extend internal efforts. Since ODIN funds the academic component, companies can engage at an earlier stage with limited financial risk.
GENERATE TRUSTED, ACTIONABLE RESULTS – By engaging in the project from the start, companies help shape how research is conducted, leading to results that are directly relevant and can reduce the need for additional validation (e.g. method validation or advancing technology maturity).
ACCESS NEW TALENT – Projects are led by senior academic researchers across Danish institutions and involve early-career scientists who may be considering a transition to industry—providing early exposure and low-risk training to potential recruits.
COLLABORATE ACROSS SECTORS – Work directly with academic, clinical, and industry partners to address shared challenges within a defined research project, while contributing to open knowledge that can support broader advances in drug discovery and diagnostics.
In ODIN, there's no fighting over legal stuff. We use the same pre-negotiated project agreements for all funded projects.
Considering ODIN for your company?
Join our Collaboration Platfrom and post a challenge or idea on the Marketplace (deadline 29 April 2026), or contact us for a short discussion to explore potential fit.
ADDITIONAL REASONS FOR SMEs TO JOIN ODIN
ODIN is not just a platform for large pharma and diagnostics companies. ODIN enables SMEs to engage in collaborative R&D and apply their capabilities in real project settings, particularly in areas where internal resources are limited. SMEs can:
- ACCESS SPECIALISED EXPERTISE AND INFRASTRUCTURE – Work with academic and clinical partners to access capabilities not available in-house (e.g. patient cohorts, clinical samples, relevant datasets, expensive research equipment).
- COLLABORATE WITH COMPLEMENTARY PARTNERS – Engage with other companies and research teams to combine capabilities and address shared challenges that would be difficult to tackle independently.
- VALIDATE YOUR SOLUTION IN A RELEVANT RESEARCH CONTEXT – Test specific aspects of your product or service (e.g. a model, method, or application area) within an active research project and generate data that demonstrates performance or relevance (e.g. in biological or clinical settings).
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ODIN
ODIN focuses on drug discovery and new diagnostics for human health. Companies of any size and location can participate if this is relevant to their interests. If you are considering taking part in ODIN, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- NO MEMBERSHIP FEES OR CASH REQUIREMENTS – ODIN funds only the participation of non-profit organisations (e.g. academia, hospitals, non-profit entities). For-profit companies do not receive grant funding and are not required to co-finance projects. Participation is based on in-kind contributions (e.g. expertise, materials, data, or access to facilities), which vary depending on the company type, size and project.
- OPEN PROJECT FRAMEWORK – ODIN projects operate in a precompetitive, open framework:
- Each partner retains full ownership of any background IP brought into the project. Project discussions and collaboration within the consortium can remain confidential where appropriate
- Results generated within the ODIN project are shared openly and are not subject to IP protection. If a project is granted, all participants (including company partners) must sign the ODIN Project Agreement, which defines these conditions and enables fast, standardised collaboration. Find the agreement in the “About ODIN” section.
- Companies are free to pursue proprietary research and develop IP outside the ODIN project based on insights from the open results
- PROJECT SCOPE & BOUNDARIES – This framework is best suited for projects where:
- Results can be openly shared and used beyond the individual project partners
- Outcomes or use of the results are not dependent on exclusive access to a single company’s technology, data, or materials
- The ODIN project itself does not generate IP within its timeline and scope
- WAYS TO ENGAGE – Companies can participate at different levels depending on interest and capacity, without financial contribution:
- Post ideas, challenges, or available resources on the ODIN WorldLabs collaboration platform
- Explore projects and connect with potential collaborators on the platform, including for opportunities outside of ODIN-funded projects
- Become an ODIN Framework Partner (optional) to signal your company’s commitment to open, precompetitive collaboration, increase visibility, and engage more actively across the ODIN network. Contact us to discuss this option.
- PROJECT SETUP REQUIREMENTS – ODIN projects involve collaboration across academia, industry, and often clinical partners. Each project must include at least one associate or full professor from one of ODIN’s five partner universities as the main applicant, as well as at least one for-profit company partner.
The project participants share the risk in high-risk/high-gain projects.