BIOCAPS

BIOMEDICAL CAPACITIES SUPPORT PROGRAM

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The Institute of Biomedical Research of Vigo (Spanish acronym IBIV) (http://www.ibivigo.org) has the goal of promoting basic, applied and translational research in the biomedical field. The main objective of the BIOCAPS project is to strengthen a national Institute of Excellence in Biomedical Research bringing together the needs of the health service and the scientific and technological offers, tackling the challenges of the society through biomedical research and innovation. All activities will be directed to this goal and to increase the critical mass and lines of research through the incorporation of senior scientists and equipment, collaborations with the leading research centers of Europe, and to develop technology transfer activities. The expected impacts of the BIOCAPS project will be: the increase of the quality and quantity of the research developed in the IBIV, a closer interaction between basic and applied researchers, and more innovation (patents licenced, protocols, etc.). IBIV will become a dynamic actor of the European Research Area (ERA), by creating a focused research core in a region which is considered highly strategic due to its socio-economic conditions.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU funding is supporting the Institute of Biomedical Research of Vigo in Spain (IBIV) in its endeavour to become a top-notch biomedical research institute. Research activities encompass basic, applied and translational research

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Under the aegis of the project http://biocaps.webs.uvigo.es/ (BIOCAPS) (Biomedical capacities support program), project members aim to strengthen research capacity in IBIV and make it a dynamic actor of the European Research Area (ERA). They will identify health care needs, increase the quantity and quality of research, and collaborate with leading European research centres to facilitate innovation through technology transfer.

Significant progress was made during the first 18 months of the project with regard to building research capacity. In terms of infrastructure, requisite research equipment was acquired and is already in operation. BIOCAPS set up a database and website. The database includes information on relevant companies for partnering on projects or technology transfer as well as current researchers.

Project partners recruited seven senior researchers, a technician for the flow cytometry facility, a project manager, and a manager for innovation and technology transfer. Several seminars, workshops and conferences were held to improve the skills of IBIV personnel. In addition, twinning activities are ongoing with the partnering organisations.

A major area of focus was developing and valorising new biomedical technologies and introducing them to the market. In this regard, BIOCAPS has devised an Innovation Strategy for protection and transfer of innovation. For this purpose, they designed a technology transfer model, established a framework for collaboration and created a policy for the creation of spin-off companies.

Already, IBIV's innovation manager has registered different online technology marketplaces and novel protected technologies developed at IBIV are described there in leaflets. These leaflets are then sent to relevant target companies. IBIV is also collaborating with industry on different projects.

Besides the project website, BIOCAPS is disseminating IBIV research activities via social networks, media, scientific publications, conferences and more.

BIOCAPS activities should enhance IBIV research quality through strategic and focused research and it could become a key part of the European Research Agency. Bringing about biomedical innovations will not only benefit patients but also increase the visibility of the institute.