Now in its 30th year, the Centre for Human Drug Research, or CHDR, in Leiden, has become a leading global pharmacology institute that helps companies to minimize the risk and cost of drug development by maximizing the amount of knowledge collected in the earliest stages of clinical research.

CHDR is at the forefront in developing novel biomarkers and methods for measuring drug-related effects in a wide range of therapeutic areas, including the central nervous system and pain, the cardiovascular system, immunology and dermatology.

In September last year, CHDR raised funds to transport one of the three most complete tyrannosaurus rex fossils in the world from the United States to the Netherlands.

Nicknamed "Trix", it is now a formidable new addition to the Naturalis Museum at Leiden, and an iconic representation of what CHDR wants to achieve in 2017 and beyond.

"Trix reminds us that in this fast-paced technological age, the challenge is to continue to create new technology for developing drugs in order to remain relevant in our field and avoid becoming the metaphorical fossil," explained CHDR's CEO Adam Cohen.

CHDR has also developed the "123 Innovation Initiative", which provides financing in the form of a venture loan, as well as drug-development expertise to innovative young biotech companies.

In effect, it addresses the industrial and financial challenges of drug development by bridging the investment gap between preclinical development and key clinical studies in order to increase value and help secure future funding.

CHDR works with research facilities around the globe, such as Harvard in the US, Leiden University in the Netherlands and - more recently - BMC Medical in China.

www.chdr.nl