The working procedure guarantees continuity all the way from research to development of a drug. After the ERDITI scientific advisory board's assessment of the request, industry partners are questioned about the availability of molecules belonging to the pharmacological classes of interest. Several molecules may be of strategic interest for the industry partner, and sponsored research should be negotiated directly outside the framework of this working procedure. If there are no molecules available, the process ends. If molecules are available, a specific agreement is signed and the industry partner provides molecules required for preclinical studies. If promising results arise from preclinical studies, the lead academic partner asks the industry partner whether it wishes to exercise the option to further develop the drug. The industry partner may decide to exploit the results and develop one of the molecules through a worldwide exclusive license. Alternatively, the industry partner may decide not to exploit the results and grant necessary license rights to a third party for the development of the molecule for treating the rare disease.