AbbVie Opens Innovation Center at U of Illinois

AbbVie has opened an Innovation Center on the campus of the University of Illinois Research Park in Urbana-Champaign. The Innovation Center plans to employ more than 18 undergraduate and graduate students on a part-time basis, and is currently hiring for several open positions. Eight students have begun working on several AbbVie R&D Information Technology projects, which is the initial focus of work at the center.
 
Students will work on real-world projects ranging from utilizing visualization software in clinical trial research, to harnessing the power of reporting tools for the identification of additional areas of research, to using informatics, text mining and other analytics software in medical research – all aimed at improving patient care. An AbbVie site manager will oversee the students and serve as liaison between the AbbVie Innovation Center and the University.
 
“At AbbVie, we know that advancing science requires strong collaboration and different ways of working. Establishing this innovative and collaborative work center at a world-class research university offers us access to top students and faculty who can help us explore new ideas,” said Mike Carlin, vice president,R&D Information Technology, AbbVie. “The AbbVie Innovation Center is a great example of how AbbVie is partnering in unique ways to find new solutions that will have an impact for patients.”