The goal of the partnership is to speed up the start of clinical trials, the university said.

Szabolcs Barótfi, MSD's clinical research director in Hungary, said the company was sponsoring 26 clinical trials with the participation of 60 patients at the University of Pécs at present. Three-fourths of participants are being treated for cancer, he added.

MSD spends around HUF 3 bln to conduct clinical trials in Hungary each year.