Author: biophotadmin

BioPhoT radar brings together more than 80 scientists and industry representatives to create new innovations 

Pasākums

On 20 March, the networking event BioPhoT Radar took place at the Science and Innovation Centre of Riga Technical University (RTU). It brought together more than 80 scientists and industry representatives to develop joint innovative projects and new cooperation opportunities to be further implemented through the National Research Programme (NRP) platform "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" or "BioPhoT". 

The BioPhoT Radar networking event aimed to foster collaboration between research organisations and companies to develop new and promising projects in the fields of biomedicine and photonics. Participants took part in an "idea sprint", where scientists presented their innovative ideas in a concise manner, while industry representatives shared their current topics and challenges. The interactive format of the meeting encouraged the generation of new ideas and active networking, which helped to identify new potential collaborative projects and strengthen established contacts. 

The BioPhoT platform's Terms of Reference and the first call for proposals are expected soon. Researchers and science-intensive ideas from the biomedical, medical technology, pharmaceutical, photonics, smart materials, electronics, electrical engineering and technology and engineering systems sectors are invited to apply. 

The BioPhoT platform represents a significant departure from the current approach to public funding, providing more targeted support for innovative projects in biomedical and photonics technologies. The funding process will specifically assess market demand for the technology developed, industry support and interest in its development. The selection process will start with a presentation to a panel of industry experts who will provide an initial assessment and help identify the most promising innovations. 

There are a number of key requirements for project promoters: the timeframe for projects must not exceed 12 months and the maximum funding available for an idea is €200,000. Particular emphasis is placed on the level of technological readiness (TRL). In addition, participants are provided with regular mentoring support and are assessed not only on the TRL but also on the overall level of realisation of the innovation (IRL). 

Experience and role of BioPhoT platform partners in innovation and science commercialisation processes - Icebreakers'25 

Pasākums

On 6 March, the University of Latvia (UL) Business Opportunities Festival "Icebreakers 2025" took place at the UL House of Sciences. It also included a BioPhoT platform partner event, which looked at innovation and science commercialisation experiences in the biomedical and photonics fields.  

The event brought together scientists, students and industry representatives to learn about commercialisation processes and opportunities for collaboration with research institutions. Participants learned how new ideas are turned into products and how research institutions can support start-ups and existing companies in developing innovation. 

Speakers at the event talked about their experiences:  

Dr. Kaspars Ozols (Institute of Electronics and Computer Science) - "EDI scientific excellence and expertise - innovation support for business"; 

Dr. Chem. Dace Rasiņa (Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis) - "When science and industry synthesize together"; 

Ph.D. Daniela Godiņa (Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry) - "Green Innovation: How the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry is changing the future"; 

Laura Ansone (Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre) - "Data, algorithms and business: lessons from the commercialisation of microbiome analysis"; 

Ģirts Ozoliņš (Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia) - "Commercialisation experience in practice: from space exploration to biotechnology". 

Discussions and presentations highlighted Latvia's scientific potential for innovation and stressed the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation. Speakers shared practical experiences of how scientific discoveries are turned into marketable products. 

Institute of Solid State Physics Scientists' Breakfast in January: funding innovation projects in 2025 - opportunities of the BioPhoT platform

Attīstība Pasākums

On 30 January, the first Scientists' Breakfast of the year took place at the Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia. A networking event for academics and researchers, discussing current research trends and practical tools for getting involved in projects at different levels. The first meeting of the year was dedicated to financing innovation in 2025. The BioPhoT platform, which offers support for the development of new technologies and innovative ideas, was a particular focus. 

The event was addressed by Dr. chem. Osvalds Pugovičs, who explained the platform's activities and opportunities for scientific institutions. The event was also attended by representatives of the platform's partners - scientific institutions, who shared concrete project ideas where they see the possible involvement of CFI scientists. 

"The BioPhoT platform was set up under the national research programme "Innovation Fund - Long-term Research Programme" to develop new technologies and innovations with commercial potential. It promotes cooperation with the biomedical, medical technology, pharmaceutical, photonics, smart materials, electronics, electrical engineering and engineering systems sectors in Latvia and abroad. 

The Platform will allow research institutions to submit projects with a maximum duration of 12 months and funding of up to €200,000, with the first call for projects expected in the first half of 2025. 

12.8 million available for researchers to develop innovative biomedical and photonics technologies 

Attīstība

Research and innovation projects in biomedicine, medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, photonics, smart materials, electronics, electrical engineering, technology and engineering systems will benefit from €12.8 million of state budget funding by the end of 2026. This will be provided by the implementation of the National Research Programme (NRP) platform "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" or "BioPhoT".  

Minister for Economic Affairs Viktors Valainis says: "It is essential to design and develop targeted support mechanisms to encourage the development of innovative technologies. The biomedical and photonics sectors have significant export potential based on innovation and the creation of new, competitive products. With financial support, their ideas can be transformed into marketable and high added value products. In the long term, this approach will strengthen Latvia's competitiveness in global markets, while fostering the development and innovation capacity of the biomedical and photonics industries." 

BioPhoT will foster collaboration and technology development between the biomedical and photonics sciences and the commercial sector. Its strategic approach is to identify research with low technological readiness (Technology Readiness Level or TRL), but with high commercialisation potential. The financial support will contribute to the development of these ideas and to the long-term creation of competitive, marketable technologies and products based on scientific research in the biomedical and photonics fields.  

 "This approach will bridge the gap between science and the commercial sector, making it easier for inventions to cross the so-called 'valley of death' on their way to development. The creation of such a platform is an essential step in promoting excellence in Latvian technological innovation and increasing competitiveness in the global market, and will also serve as a basis for the development of future innovations," explains Project leader, Deputy Director of the Latvian Organic Synthesis Institute (OSI) Osvalds Pugovičs. 

The platform is expected to be operational until 2032. Support for researchers' initiatives and responses to science-intensive challenges identified by the commercial sector is planned in three phases, the first of which - until 30 November 2026 - will see more than €12 million made available by Cabinet of Ministers specifically for innovation projects. Almost €5 million will be earmarked for improving scientists' innovation skills, including training on intellectual property protection. If the work is successful, public funding will also be made available for the next phases up to 2032. 

By 2032, 35 new technologies are expected to have reached a proven technological basis (TRL 3 level) or technological validation under laboratory conditions (TRL 4 level). At least 23 of these technologies are expected to be developed to validation in real-life conditions (TRL 5 level) or for full-scale demonstration (TRL 6 level), while at least four will enter the commercialisation phase.  

The first phase of the Platform will run until the end of 2026 and will include four calls for innovation projects. The first call is expected in February this year and is open to researchers developing new technologies and innovative ideas in the fields of biomedicine, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, photonics, smart materials, electronics, electrical engineering and technology and engineering systems. The maximum funding available per idea will be €200,000, with a 12-month timeframe.  

BioPhoT is coordinated by OSI and implemented by the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, the University of Latvia, the Institute of Solid State Physics, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, the Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment Research Institute "BIOR", Riga Stradins University and Riga Technical University. 

Announcement of a new public funding platform for researchers

Paziņojums

On 29 January, 9.00 - 10.30 a new research and innovation programme will be launched at the University of Latvia (UL) Academic Centre, Science House (Jelgavas iela 3), rooms 103 and 104. The programme will provide €12.8 million in state funding for scientists to create new technologies by the end of 2026. 

The funding will be made available under the national research programme "Innovation Fund - Long-Term Research Programme" for the project "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" or "BioPhoT". The aim is to foster cooperation and technology development between the biomedical, photonics and smart materials sciences and the commercial sector. 

The programme runs until 2032. During this period, 35 new and competitive technologies in biomedicine, medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, photonics, smart materials, electronics, technology and engineering systems are planned. 

The event will provide information on the objectives and benefits of the project, application deadlines, conditions and process, as well as clarify any questions. 

Read more in the project summary.

Participants: 

  • Project leader, Head of the Latvian Organic Synthesis Institute (OSI) Osvalds Pugovičs 
  • Deputy State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Economy Raivis Bremšmits 
  • Deputy State Secretary for Human Capital, Science and Innovation Development, Ministry of Education and Science Jānis Paiders 
  • Director of the Latvian Research Council Lauma Muižniece 
  • Rector of the University of Latvia prof. Gundars Bērziņš 

To participate in the event, please fill in the registration form: https://ej.uz/biophotatklāšana 

The project, under the leadership of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, is being implemented by the Latvian Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, the University of Latvia, the Institute of Solid State Physics, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, the Scientific Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Riga Stradins University and Riga Technical University. 

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