On 26 September 2022, in the framework of the Science Summit at the 77th United Nations General Assembly, the European Brain Council and Cohen Veterans Bioscience, in partnership with the Brain Capital Alliance and OECD Neuroscience-inspired Policy Initiative convened a meeting on Global Partnerships in Brain Research in New York, USA.

Bringing leaders in neuroscience around the table, the meeting highlighted existing global partnerships and aimed to explore collaboration and alignment in the brain research space for the future.

Enhancing global collaboration in the domain of research and innovation is key for effectively addressing today’s societal challenges and improving the health and well-being of citizens. This is particularly true for brain disorders, including both neurological and mental conditions, which are widespread and highly disabling diseases that are often difficult to treat.

On EBC’s side, Executive Director, Frédéric Destrebecq, opened the meeting with an introduction of EBC, the advocacy work undertaken to further brain research and our main projects, particularly the European Brain Research Area (EBRA), which has a key focus on fostering and enhancing global partnerships in brain research. He explored how EBRA could be used as a model for collaboration in brain research for the future, particularly as the project comes to an end this month and discussions for the future are underway.

Harris Eyre, Brain Capital Alliance, OECD Neuroscience-inspired Policy Initiative, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and IMPACT at Deakin University presented on the concept of Brain capital and emboldening the brain science community, accompanied by Cara Altimus, Senior Director, Center for Strategic Philanthropy, Milken Institute who shared the exciting news of their new initiative, BD2, a recently launched global platform to transform bipolar disorder research and care.

Inez Jabalpurwala, Executive Leader of the Brain Health Nexus gave an introduction on the relatively new initiative, which aims to convene world leaders in brain health policy, patient advocacy, clinical care models, research and innovation to drive collective action to advance brain health for all citizens globally.

Before kicking off the roundtable discussion, moderated by Magali Haas, CEO and President, Cohen Veterans Bioscience, the industry perspective on global research partnerships was presented by Vreni Schoenenberger, Global Franchise Head, External Affairs & Partnerships at Novartis.

Attendees around the table included high-level representatives from the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the European Commission (DG RTD), IHI, Nature Neuroscience, Milken Institute, IMPACT at Deakin University (Australia), Society for Neuroscience, Brain Health Nexus, Mount Sinai (USA), Society for Neuroscientists of Africa, GreyMatter Capital, Brain and Mind Centre – University of Sydney (Australia), Yale University (USA), Western University (Canada), Drexel University (USA), Sharper Sense, Novartis, Global Brain Health Institute/American University Cairo (Egypt), Simons Foundation, UT Southwestern Medical Center (USA) and Boston University (USA).

A formal meeting report and next steps will follow.