SMEs and academia for biosystems technologies
The interdisciplinary field of biosystems technologies constitutes a new area of research that combines biology with microsystems components. These miniaturised processes range from bio-chip technology for diagnostics and cell-chip technology for drug development, to portable applications for point-of-care (POC) analyses. To advance this sector and create unique innovations, academic and industrial stakeholders must join forces. This was addressed by the EU-funded Boost Biosystems project which promoted collaboration between SMEs and academia. Sector analysis indicated that regionally both industry and academic institutions had the expertise required for biosystems technologies. What was required was for someone to point out the advantages and feasibility of such collaborations. The Boost Biosystems project identified potential stakeholders in the Baltic Sea region that could benefit from the establishment of research and technological development (RTD) consortia between SMEs and academia. Information on the advantages of such cooperation was provided through transregional events and seminars. These proved critical in setting up funding for research proposals, providing assistance to SMEs and generating transnational cooperations in RTD. Project partners identified the field of diagnostics as the most promising field for investment and established the Baltic Center of Biotechnology and Innovative Diagnostics to foster future activities in the biosystems sector. Overall, the Boost Biosystems project informed stakeholders in the Baltic Sea region of the potential in the biosystems technologies field. The resulting collaborations are expected to boost business, research and technological innovations.