Following the evaluation process of the first call for research and innovation projects, 40 projects have been selected for further implementation under the "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" ("BioPhoT"). They represent a broad spectrum of research, focusing on smart specialisation areas such as biomedicine, medical technologies, photonics, materials science, energy and the environment.
"The first call for BioPhoT research and innovation projects has received an overwhelming response in the academic community, with more than 120 research groups responding to the invitation to take part in a competition format that has never before been seen in Latvia. A third of these groups have received funding to implement their ideas. This is a clear demonstration of the great potential of our scientists for applied research and innovation, if properly supported. Our challenge now is to highlight the themes of the supported projects both nationally and internationally, and to convince industry partners that Latvian scientists are ready to tackle high-level practical challenges and create innovations with global potential," says Osvalds Pugovičs, Platform Manager.
Due to the high quality of the applications, the Platform's Project Steering Group, after assessing the density of the results, decided to increase the original funding from €6 million to €8 million.
Around a quarter of the projects supported are biomedical and healthcare related, such as innovative approaches to sepsis, cancer and infection diagnostics. The same number of projects represent medical technologies, including the development of new devices, sensors and diagnostic solutions. There is also a strong focus on photonics and optical technologies, solutions for fibre optic sensors, fluorescent coatings and infrared spectroscopy. A further eight projects are on smart materials, including innovative biomaterials and sustainable composites, and four on environmental and energy topics such as CO2 capture and renewable energy applications
The largest project promoters are the University of Latvia with ten funded projects and Riga Technical University with nine. The Institute of Solid State Physics at the University of Latvia will implement seven projects, while the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis supports six research groups. Three projects will be implemented by Riga Stradiņš University, two by the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, and one project each by Daugavpils University, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry and the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies.
"The BioPhoT platform is open to all Latvian research organisations, for example, in this call for proposals, support was also granted to scientists from Daugavpils and Jelgava, which confirms the quality of the projects submitted, while sending an important signal to all regional universities," emphasises O. Pugovičs.
The broad institutional coverage demonstrates both the potential of Latvian science and the high level of engagement across disciplines. The competition attracted considerable interest, with 122 applications from a wide range of research fields, including biomedical, pharmaceutical, photonics, medical technology and materials science.
The evaluation of the submitted projects took place in two rounds: initially, the innovative potential of the applications was analysed by industry, commercialisation and innovation experts, while in the second round their scientific quality was assessed by foreign scientific experts attracted by the Latvian Council of Science.
This is the first of three calls for the first phase of the BioPhoT platform until the end of 2026. More than €12 million will be available for innovation projects, and almost €5 million more for training on technology transfer, IP protection and commercialisation skills. The next call for research and innovation projects is expected in early October, with a conference at the end of November to give everyone the opportunity to get a closer look at the projects supported under the first call.
By 2032, the platform plans to develop at least 35 new technologies, more than half of which will be developed to validation in real or full-scale conditions (TRL 5-6) and at least four to commercialisation. This will significantly strengthen Latvia's competitiveness in high-tech areas.
The project "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" or "BioPhoT" is implemented under the long-term national research programme "Innovation Fund - Long-term Research Programme" funded by the Ministry of Economics. Project number: IVPP-EM-Innovation-2024/1-0002.
Supported projects:
| Application ID | Name (LV) | Name (EN) | Applicant |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0080 | Urine test for biomarkers of sepsis in newborns (U-TEST) | A urine-based diagnostic for detection of sepsis biomarkers in infants | Riga Stradiņš University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0030 | Improved hollow fibre bioreactor supplement for induced therapeutic EV production (EVBoost) | Enhanced hollow fibre bioreactor add-on for induced therapeutic EV production | Latvian Centre for Biomedical Research and Studies |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0059 | Development of a fluorogenic test kit for screening cardiolipin ligands | Development of fluorogenic assay kit for cardiolipin ligand screening | Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0024 | Advanced haemostatic materials for dual use | Advanced haemostatic materials for dual-use applications | University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0048 | BIOmaterials for infection control and rapid bone regeneration (BIOCORE) | BIOmaterials for infection COntrol and fast bone Regeneration | Riga Technical University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0052 | High-efficiency non-contact heating system based on permanent magnets for metallurgical applications | High-Efficiency Contactless heating system based on permanent magnets for metallurgical applications | University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0013 | Optical sensor development for smart packaging of fresh seafood - FRESHWAVE | Optical Sensor Solution for the Smart Packaging of Fresh Seafood | University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0073 | Robust EMI protection for high-integrity cyber security solutions | Resilient Shielding for High-Integrity EMI Protected Cybersecurity Applications | Riga Technical University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0012 | Latest generation blood collection barrel for bone regeneration procedures | Next-Generation Blood Collection Tube for Bone Regeneration Procedures | Riga Technical University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0051 | Bioactive fluorescent coatings for antimicrobial protection | Bioactive Luminescent Coating for Antimicrobial protection | Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0055 | Universal DNA Extraction Module (GENEX) | GENeric EXtraction module | Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0058 | Borehole Cleaning and Reusability Enhancement Solution (BUR-CURE) | Bur Ultrasonic Residue Cleaning and Ultimate Reusability Enhancer | Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0074 | Technology for the conversion of end-of-life tyre rubber into an intelligent additive to improve asphalt concrete recycling (RE-TECH-ROAD) | Technology for transforming waste tire rubber into smart additive for improved recyclability of asphalt concrete | Riga Technical University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0070 | Infrared spectroscopy for PFAS detection in aqueous media using a submersible sensor platform | Infrared Spectroscopy for In-Situ Detection of PFAS in Aquatic Environments Using a Submersible Sensing Platform | Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0006 | White laser endoscopy system (ENDOLASE) | White Laser Endoscopy System | University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0008 | Development of an innovative sink disinfection device against AMR micro-organisms (B-Shield) | B-Shield: Pioneering Drainage Disinfection Device Against AMR Pathogens | Riga Technical University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0042 | Smart inks for printed chromogenic windows | Smart inks for printed chromogenic windows | Daugavpils University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0037 | Optical fibre temperature sensing device in extended temperature range | All-optical fibre-based temperature sensor device in extended temperature range | Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0014 | Increase wind turbine life by early detection of blade erosion | Increase wind turbine life time by early detection of blade erosion | University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0027 | Treonil t-RNA synthetase inhibitors as antifungal agents | Threonyl t-RNA synthetase inhibitors as antifungal agents | Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0040 | Optical filtering based fibre Bragg grating sensor transducer | Optical filtering-based fibre Bragg grating sensor interrogator | Riga Technical University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0039 | Coenzymatic tools for the design of macrocyclic peptides (CETMAP) | Chemoenzymatic tools for macrocyclic peptide discovery | Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0047 | Heterogeneous integration of polymers in inorganic integrated photonic circuits | Polymer heterogeneous integration in inorganic photonic integrated chips | Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0044 | Flexible thermoelectric generators for self-powered microelectronics and sensors | Flexible thermoelectric generators for selfpowered microelectronics and sensors | University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0076 | Optical multimodal method for assessment of microcirculation at submucosal and gastric mucosal level in septic shock patients. | Optical multimodal technique for real-time microcirculation assessment in sublingual and gastric mucosa in septic shock | Riga Stradiņš University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0061 | OsteoWood. A new generation of birch wood for bone fixation - a sustainable path from forest to functional implants | Next-Gen Bone Fixation from Birch: A Sustainable Pathway from Forest to Functional Implant | Latvian National Institute of Wood Chemistry |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0009 | Reference cell stabilised laser for optical sensing applications | Laser stabilised to a reference cell for optical sensing | University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0025 | Rapid assessment of antimicrobial resistance by laser speckle analysis (FLARE) | Fast laser speckle based antibacterial resistance evaluation | University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0091 | Exploring enzyme-based bio-hybrid materials as a solution platform for diabetes monitoring (EXPEDIA) | Exploring enzyme-based biohybrid materials as platforms for diabetes monitoring | Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0043 | Establishment of a virtual testing laboratory for wood materials and structures (VIWO-LAB) | Development of a Virtual Testing Laboratory for Wood Materials and Structures | Riga Technical University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0056 | Integrated loss mode resonance sensor for monitoring ammonia (NH₃) (ILMRS-NH₃) | Integrated lossy mode resonance sensor for NH3 monitoring | Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0032 | Functional liquid biopsy test for diagnosis and monitoring of tumours (FLUID-C) | Functional liquid biopsies for the detection and monitoring of cancer | Latvian Centre for Biomedical Research and Studies |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0081 | Detection and monitoring of clinically relevant biomarkers using sweat analysis (SwyCard) | Sweat-based Monitoring and Assessment of Relevant Clinical Biomarkers | Riga Technical University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0021 | Smart diagnostics: an aptamer-based device for rapid malaria detection. | Smart Diagnostics: An Aptamer-Based Device for Rapid Malaria Detection | University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0035 | Preclinical characterisation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor inhibitors | Preclinical Characterisation of an Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Inhibitor | Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0069 | CO₂ filter from recycled construction waste | REcycled Construction waste and Carbon Capture Filter | Riga Technical University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0065 | Multifunctional polyphenol-clay composite for natural UV protection and skin health (POLYCLAY-UV) | Multifunctional Polyphenol-Clay composite for Natural UV Protection and Skin Health | Latvian University of Biosciences and Technology |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0071 | Aluminium in Circulation for Innovative Carbon Capture and Energy (ALICE) | Aluminium in Loop for Innovative Carbon capture and Energy production | Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0038 | Liquid biopsy biomarkers for bladder cancer: LiqBio-BC | Liquid biopsy biomarkers for bladder cancer diagnostics | Riga Stradiņš University |
| OSI_PIP_BioPhoT-2025/1-0075 | Algorithm for longer life and performance of lithium-ion batteries | Algorithm for extended service life and performance of Li-ion batteries | Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia |
