Category: Development

Knowledge commercialisation is not just a theoretical challenge - it is a systemic chain of change that requires a clear vision, strategic thinking and international support. This summer, four researchers from the University of Latvia (UL), members of the BioPhoT platform, started this journey by participating in the international innovation programme Latvia-Cambridge Venture Camp Cambridge, UK.

"BioPhoT research team, scientists from the University of Latvia - Artis Kinēns, Zane Šmite, Juris Prikulis and Annija Emersone - spent a week in one of the world's strongest innovation environments to learn how to take a high-value scientific idea and turn it into a viable technology - with clear applications, market insight and long-term development potential.

During the programme, researchers took part in intensive training sessions focusing on the relevance of the product to market needs (product-market fit), investment attraction strategies, clear and effective presentation of ideas, sustainable start-up team building and networking between science and industry. The Cambridge experience gave researchers the opportunity to see where their innovation ideas sit in the wider science ecosystem.

In addition to lectures and work with mentors, the BioPhoT team visited a number of major science centres - the Bio-Innovation Centre at Cambridge Science Park (Cambridge Science Park), Allia Future Business Centre - social entrepreneurship centre Judge Business School and Institute for Manufacturing.

One of the most important benefits was meeting David Chaplin, head of the Bio-Innovation Centre. During the meeting, laboratory infrastructure options and potential forms of cooperation were discussed. This gave researchers a closer understanding of how the boundaries between science and business can become more transparent, laying the groundwork for practical implementation of ideas.

The programme culminated in presentations of ideas by researchers from the University of Anglia Ruskin University at the Science Centre in front of an international audience of investors, entrepreneurs and academic experts. "The BioPhoT team received valuable feedback to help define the next steps of development more precisely, including a clearer commercialisation strategy. The programme was organised by CONNECT Latvia in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University and Professor Alan Burrell (Alan Barrell) and a team of researchers from the University of Latvia took part in it as part of the international activities of the BioPhoT platform. Overall Latvia-Cambridge Venture Camp 20 Latvian start-ups, researchers and students participated in the programme, which gave them the opportunity to cross traditional research boundaries and bring Latvian scientific ideas to the international innovation space. "The experience of the BioPhoT team shows that with the right support, vision and international collaboration, Latvian science can create solutions that have not only theoretical value, but also real relevance for society.

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.