Paul Roben, Enterprise Ireland Biotechnology

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Paul Roben, Enterprise Ireland- Biotechnology
Commercialisation of Biotechnology Research
- Seizing Opportunities
BioIreland, November 14th 2006
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Innovation is Vital to Economic Progress

• Growing research capability is a core component
  of the EUs drive to become the most competitive
  and dynamic, knowledge-driven economy.
• Ireland has embraced that challenge.
• Micheál Martin
• Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

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Investment in RD
1.4 billion invested in RD - 645m SFI 605m
HEA.
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National Centres of Excellence
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Commercialisation of Research
Transfer of knowledge and technology from HEIs
into the marketplace is of crucial importance in
the establishment of a strong knowledge-based
economy Strategy for Science, Technology and
Innovation, 2006-2013
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EI Commercialisation Funding
Over 80M investment in Applied Research
Commercialisation over the past 5 years
250 Principal Investigators linked into schemes
25 research institutes engaged in ARC services
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EI Bio Commercialisation Spending 2003-2006
Total 15.68m
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Anticipated 2007 Activity Levels

• 25 (8) Licences of Technology to Industry
• 12 (5) Spin Out companies from universities
• Recent Spin-out in Life Sciences
• Opsona Drug Development
• Biancamed Diagnostic and Monitoring
• Luxcel Drug Discovery Solutions
• Gas Sensor Solutions Oxygen Sensors
• Genable Gene-based therapeutics
• Celtic Catalysts Chiral Chemistry Solutions

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Industry- Academia Linkages

• Continuous technological change and innovation
  are among the main determinants of productivity
  growth in the industrial sector.
• Increasingly, firms need more access to sources
  of innovation.
• The third level sector can be a key provider of
  innovation.

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Strengthening the Technology Transfer Function

• Technology Transfer is the link between Research
  and the Market
• 30M Initiative to adequately resource TT
  function
• Central Support of that function.
• Increased awareness of the importance of TT
• Have clear efficient mechanisms of technology
  transfer.

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Industry-Led Research
Industry-Led Research Programs

• 2-3M project-based, industry-led research
  funding
• Research conducted in academia under direction of
  industry
• Builds networks of partners in both sectors
• Encourages industry-focused research in HEIs.
• Industry can harness the innovative potential in
  academia.

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Competence Centre Program (EI and IDA)

• 10M over 5 funding for industry-managed
  research programmes.
• Research centres focusing on strategically
  important technologies where a clear industry
  need is established
• Under industrial management.
• Centres of international excellence designed to
  maximise the commercial potential in Ireland of
  IP generated.
• Training programmes to address staffing needs of
  industry in Ireland.
• Flexibility model appropriate to individual
  situations.

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Venture Capital Funding
A sustainable VC industry is vital for the
commercialisation of research - 175m
injection into VC market. - Potential to
leverage additional 1Bn investment
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Challenges in Biotechnology

• Weak, but developing commercial culture in
  academic institutes.
• Technology Transfer systems not yet optimal.
• Entrepreneurial culture underdeveloped.
• Small but growing indigenous industrial base- not
  yet self-sustainable.
• Business expenditure on RD lags behind
  competitors.

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Conclusion

• Ireland started from a very low base.
• We are making progress and putting support
  systems in at all levels.
• There is a lot of work to do to ensure that the
  potential of both the academic and industrial
  sectors are realised and that both sectors
  actively drive the development of the
  knowledge-based economy in Ireland.

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Final Word..

• Our strategy is based on a shared vision of
  placing Ireland firmly on the global map in terms
  of the excellence of our research and its
  application for the benefit of society.
• Micheál Martin

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Thank You! Paul Roben Director, Biotechnology
Commercialisation Enterprise Ireland E-mail
paul.roben_at_enterprise-ireland.com