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The Cochrane Collaboration and Wiley Sign New Publishing Agreement

The Cochrane Collaboration, the international not-for-profit organization that produces systematic reviews of healthcare evidence and the largest database of randomized controlled trials; and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (NYSE:JWa, JWb), a global provider of content and workflow solutions in the areas of scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly research, professional development, and education, today announced that they have renewed and redefined their partnership to publish The Cochrane Library from February 2013.

"This new agreement provides a huge boost to The Cochrane Collaboration's work to inform healthcare decision-making with high-quality research evidence", said Mark Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of the Collaboration. "It marks a significant advance in establishing funded, free, and open access to Cochrane systematic reviews for clinicians, researchers and patients around the world; provides major investment in technology and new product development to keep us at the cutting edge of innovation in healthcare information; and also supports our organizational ambitions to promote evidence-based health care across the globe."

"The noble mission of The Cochrane Collaboration is closely aligned with Wiley's mission to generate shared knowledge and understanding the world over and, since first partnering ten years ago, together we have moved from strength to strength, making significant gains in the reach and influence of The Cochrane Library, including achieving a top ten Impact Factor," said Stephen M. Smith, Wiley's President and Chief Executive Officer.

The new contract includes a programme to enhance the international reach, awareness, and influence of all Cochrane content in evidence-based health care and practice. Accessibility for non-English language users will be improved. The Cochrane Collaboration and Wiley will work together to increase the impact of Cochrane content including the development of new products and services to better serve clinical and non-clinical communities and to grow the Collaboration's reputation as the world's foremost provider of independent, trusted, high-quality evidence for healthcare decision-making.

More than half the world's population already has one-click access to Cochrane content through licenses or free access through the low- and middle- income countries programme. Under the new contract, all Cochrane systematic reviews published from February 2013 will be available open access 12 months after publication in The Cochrane Library.

"We see our new agreement as redefining and enhancing our relationship," added Dr. Andrew Robinson, Wiley's Vice President & Managing Director, Health Sciences. "Our shared goal is to ensure that all of the world's healthcare decision-makers have access to this essential resource."

"Through the use of innovative technologies and investment in product development, we aim to ensure that all users can access Cochrane content when, where, and how they need it," said Dr. David Tovey, Editor in Chief of The Cochrane Library. "The Cochrane Collaboration has had a profound impact on health care in its first 20 years. This agreement provides the platform for even more significant transformation in the years ahead."