AstraZeneca Philippines and De La Salle University (DLSU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to combine global scientific leadership with academic excellence and learner-centered approach by creating a collaborative platform where ideas can synergize from academic discovery to real-world healthcare solutions.

At the center of this collaboration is the DLSU KIST Park, a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)--accredited innovation district designed to foster synergy between industry and academe. Through this environment, students, faculty, and researchers can engage directly with industry partners, while organizations gain access to emerging talent and research-driven insights.

The collaboration comes at a momentous period for both institutions, with AstraZeneca celebrating its 50th year of legacy and innovation in the Philippines and De La Salle University marking the Golden Jubilee of its University Charter.

Under the agreement, AstraZeneca and DLSU will collaborate on key areas including research initiatives, talent development, and exploratory opportunities for operational presence within the KIST Park. Planned activities include internship and training programs, academic-industry engagements, and joint initiatives that connect scientific innovation with practical healthcare applications.

For AstraZeneca, the partnership reflects its commitment in enabling multi-stakeholder health ecosystem partnerships that transform patient outcomes for Filipinos.

“Healthcare transformation today requires more than innovation—it requires collaboration across sectors,” said Lotis Ramin, Country President of AstraZeneca Philippines. “Through this partnership with De La Salle University, we are bringing together scientific expertise and emerging talent to create an environment where ideas can be developed and applied to real-world healthcare challenges. By connecting research, education, and the pharmaceutical industry, we aim to help accelerate innovation that improves outcomes for patients, particularly in areas such as non-communicable diseases, where the need for earlier detection and more accessible care remains critical.”

For DLSU, the collaboration strengthens its role in bridging academic research with industry engagement, ensuring that its students and faculty are equipped to contribute to real-world solutions.

“The DLSU KIST Park is a space where ideas are not only imagined, but realized,” said Br. Bernard S. Oca, FSC, President and Chancellor of De La Salle University. “By bringing together academe, industry, and research, we hope to create an environment where innovation can move beyond theory and contribute meaningfully to society.”

This collaboration marks the first Philippine partnership between a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company and a leading PEZA-accredited private university, highlighting a growing shift toward integrated, cross-sector approaches to healthcare innovation—one that links talent, research, and industry to better respond to the evolving needs of patients in the Philippines.

As AstraZeneca and DLSU begin this collaboration, the partnership sets the foundation for a more connected healthcare innovation system

This collaboration marks the first Philippine partnership between a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company and a leading PEZA-accredited private university, highlighting a growing shift toward integrated, cross-sector approach to healthcare innovation—one that links talent, research, and industry to better respond to the evolving needs of patients in the Philippines.