News

The second BioPhoT Platform Research and Innovation Project (RIP) competition has concluded with presentations to industry panels, where 97 research teams presented their ideas to an international panel of experts. 

During the four-day intensive evaluation process, which took place on 2, 3, 9 and 10 December at the Riga Technical University Science and Innovation Centre, scientists gave short presentations focused on innovation and its practical application. Industry experts analysed the market potential of the ideas and their technological and commercialisation readiness, providing an in-depth assessment of each project's development opportunities, technological advantages and potential barriers to market. This close collaboration allows research teams to receive structured, evidence-based feedback at an early stage, which is essential to develop ideas towards real products and technologies.

“We saw a very high standard in these presentations - many of them were so convincing that the project representatives could stand on international stages. This is a clear improvement on even the previous BioPhoT competition in the spring and shows the importance of using the training and mentoring offered by the platform - the teams that did this proved themselves much more convincingly,“ says Panelist, Venture Capital Fund and Accelerator Buildit Latvia Managing Partner and CEO Matīss Neimanis.

“At the same time, it should be remembered that commercial potential is closely linked to ambition: projects with an eye only on the Latvian market are objectively limited. The most important question remains the same: what real problem is the project solving and who will be willing to pay for it? This format of industry engagement is very good at identifying which projects have this potential and which might need to look for other development paths,” he highlights. 

Other experienced industry professionals and deep-tech Investors Tamar Raz, PhD in Biology and Business Management, Barak Azmon, MD and founder and CEO of several medical startups, Daniel Carew, investor and board member of early stage defense deep tech startups, Julien Venturini, international expert in the semiconductor and laser industry, and International SubFAB Research Labs founder, Ilya Zabelinsky, specialist in semiconductor plant support equipment and infrastructure, as well as VLX Ventures and NetwoRx Bio Mr Ori Choshen. Project presentations were moderated by venture capital and startup exosystem expert, BioPhoT mentor Andris Baumanis.

Industry panels are an essential part of BioPhoT's approach to bridging the gap between research and business by ensuring that scientific ideas are formulated with a clear understanding of market needs from the outset of the application. The involvement of industry experts in the evaluation process motivates researchers to define project objectives precisely, select project team members correctly and identify commercialisation opportunities.

By 16 December, the BioPhoT Platform Project Steering Group has to decide which project applications have passed the qualification threshold of the 1st evaluation round and will be forwarded for scientific evaluation by experts selected by the Latvian Science Council.

See photos from the event: https://biophot.lv/foto-1-kartas-industrijas-panela-prezentacijas-2-3-un-9-10-12-2025/

Here is a video insight into the experts' views:

Matīss Neimanis, Managing Partner and CEO of the Venture Capital Fund and Accelerator Buildit Latvia

Company VLX Ventures and NetwoRx Bio Manager Ori Choshen

Barak Azmon, physician and founder and CEO of several medical start-ups

Networking should be seen as a strategic tool for career and professional development, not as a source of stress or anxiety. This intensive 2-hour workshop will help you change the way you look at networking by teaching you how to overcome the fear of talking to strangers and make the most of every interaction.

Participants will learn a three-step methodology that helps them make the most of every networking opportunity to achieve a professional breakthrough:

Before the event - Set your goals and expectations, research your key players and build your digital visibility before you arrive.
During the event - Learn proven tactics, including the “60-second rule” to help you make contacts quickly and assess their potential.
After the event - Schedule time for targeted networking to turn new acquaintances into real collaborations and opportunities.

Coach: Voldemārs Brēdiķis - experienced entrepreneur and deep-tech mentor at Riga Stradiņš University. His approach is based on practical experience gained through participation in high-level events - exhibitions, conferences, trade missions and international visits.

More information and registration: https://biophot.lv/event/tiklosanas-introvertiem/

PMNET 2025, the Precision Medicine Networking Forum supported by the Recovery Foundation, brings together more than 50 speakers from 20 countries to strengthen the development of innovation and research in precision medicine at both regional and European level. In the run-up to the five-year anniversary of the Forum, this year's focus is on strengthening networking agreements through hands-on workshops for members of the biomedical ecosystem.

On Thursday, 9 October, the agenda of the Partners' Session of the Forum includes a report by Osvalds Pugovičs, Head of the long-term research platform BioPhoT, entitled "BioPhoT - a new format for innovation development, first lessons and future plans". The report will provide information on the place of BioPhoT in the Latvian innovation ecosystem, analyse the results achieved so far, and outline plans for the near future.

Those interested in precision medicine are invited to register for free at https://pmnetforum.com/registration/. 

For more information on the Forum programme and speakers, visit www.pmnetforum.com.

The PMNET Forum has become a major event thanks to the contribution of both local and international experts. The Forum is organised by the Children's Hospital Foundation, Children's Clinical University Hospital, Riga Stradins University, the Latvian Children's Oncology Foundation, the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Health, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, as well as several patient organisations in cooperation with the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia, the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, Riga East Clinical University Hospital and Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital. 

The event is held in English with separate sessions in Latvian. 

The event is supported by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA). The project "Development of a full innovation system management model and its continuous operation" is funded by the European Union's Recovery Fund.

About the Recovery Fund

Recovery Fund (Recovery and Resilience Facility) is a centrally managed budget programme of the EC, additional to the EU's multiannual budget for the programming period 2021-2027. It aims to support reforms and investments linked to the transition to a green and digital economy and to mitigate the social and economic impact of the crisis. The Recovery Fund will invest €1.97 billion in Latvia's economy by the end of 2026, through reforms and investments in all six of the Recovery Fund's strands: Climate and Energy (including REPowerEU), Digital Transformation, Reducing Inequalities, Economic Transformation, Health and Rule of Law.

On Wednesday, 8 October, the RTU Science and Innovation Centre in Riga will host EIT National Day 2025 - an event organised by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) that will bring together representatives of the science, business and innovation ecosystem from Latvia and abroad. Everyone is welcome to attend the event by registering in advance for free on fienta.com/eitnationalday2025.

During the event, the leadership of the research platform "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" ("BioPhoT") will discuss opportunities for closer collaboration with the EIT community in Latvia, in particular with EIT Health a network to promote health innovation, photonics and biomedical technologies in Latvia and Europe

The aim of the collaboration is to help Latvian researchers and start-ups become part of the European health innovation community, learning from industry professionals and gaining valuable international experience.

Osvalds Pugovičs, BioPhoT Platform Manager said will take part in the panel "Bridging the Gap in Innovation: Potential for Latvian Deep Tech Startup Ecosystem Support". The topic of the panel will be tools for bridging the innovation "valley of death", i.e. the technological readiness level range TRL4 - TRL6 - national support tools, incl. "BioPhoT platform, EIT programmes, as well as opportunities for synergies between tools.

O. Pugovic stresses: "The synergistic use of support tools is probably more effective than simply increasing the amount of funding, as it allows the different elements of the innovation ecosystem - researchers, start-ups and industry partners - to be connected, creating a more sustainable and collaborative development environment."

EIT Community Latvia is the European Institute of Innovation and Technology's representative office in Latvia, based at Riga Technical University (RTU) and supported by the Ministry of Education and Science and the Latvian Science Council.

It aims to connect scientists, entrepreneurs and start-ups with European innovation networks, providing access to training, mentoring and funding opportunities for health, food, digital technologies and more.

By 2032 BioPhoT platforms At least 35 new technologies are expected to be developed, of which more than half will be developed to validation in real or full-scale conditions (TRL 5-6) and at least four to the commercialisation phase. This will significantly strengthen Latvia's competitiveness in high-tech areas.

On 7 October, the BioPhoT platform will host an info day for potential applicants on the BioPhoT call, its rules and regulations, as well as on the changes in the application and evaluation of research and innovation projects compared to the first call.

During the Info Day event, all questions will be answered to ensure a smooth preparation and application process.

The in-person event will take place from 10-12 at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (Aizkraukles iela 21) in the Large Conference Hall, 4th floor, and remotely on the Zoom platform. Links - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88916023567?pwd=azHlhjp1mcv8s9zRtYKc1Gt0w18a72.1 (Meeting ID: 889 1602 3567, Passcode: 632269)

To apply: https://luma.com/zl4x6zzv

Programme:

During the Night of Scientists 2025, the BioPhoT stages at the University of Latvia (UL) and the Institute of Solid State Physics (ISSP) of the UL stood out, where visitors had the opportunity to get to know the diverse and socially important innovation projects implemented by Latvian scientists within the BioPhoT platform. Researchers revealed how science can become a driving force for the creation of new technologies with real applications in medicine, industry, environmental protection and societal well-being.

Seven projects with high commercialisation potential were presented at the Academic Centre of the University of Latvia. The researchers addressed the audience with a creative, illustrative and understandable approach to presenting complex technological solutions.

Physicist Tom Beinert surprised the audience by demonstrating how a rotating magnet can generate temperatures so high that an egg can be fried in a hot cast-iron pan. This solution could be successfully applied in the metalworking industry in processes for heating cast iron moulds, reducing energy consumption by up to 30%.

Artis Kinēns, Associate Professor, University of Latvia presented a project on a smart sensor that could accurately detect the freshness of seafood products and significantly reduce food waste - as around a third of the world's seafood is currently thrown away if spoilage is not detected in time.

Jana Andžāne from the Institute of Chemical Physics at the University of Latvia presented the development of flexible thermoelectric generators that use human body heat to generate electricity for smart devices such as heart rate monitors, smart watches and sensors. Such generators could replace some lithium batteries and reduce e-waste.

Professor Jānis Spīgulis presented an innovative endoscopic solution for early cancer diagnosis, while researcher Alexey Likhachev presented a technology that allows rapid detection of antimicrobial resistance - a vital factor, especially in severe infections such as sepsis. Līga Kunrade from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Latvia presented an innovative solution for malaria detection in the field - a rapid test that identifies the specific causative agent of malaria and immediately starts effective treatment.

Researcher Mārtiņš Borodušķis presented a project on improved haemostatic materials for wound treatment, early prototypes of which have already been tested in real combat conditions in Ukraine. The project team is working on a next generation solution with a chitosan matrix and electrospinning technology.

During the evening, the Faculty of Science House was also buzzing with activity at the STEM board games designed especially for families and children. Both younger visitors and their parents enthusiastically participated in the quiz game "STEM UP!", where researchers from the University of Ljubljana were involved in designing and testing the questions, making the game not only entertaining, but also educational. Alongside it, a brand new board game "Exoplanet Escape" allowed children and adults to work together to complete missions, overcome various challenges and learn about STEM professions at the same time. The great interest of the visitors showed that science can also be presented as an engaging and exciting experience for the whole family.

An equally exciting programme took place at the Institute of Solid State Physics, where four promising projects were presented on the BioPhoT stage.

Anatolijs Šarakovskis, Head of the CFI Spectroscopy Laboratory, talked about a fibre-optic temperature sensor that operates over an extended temperature range and is applicable in conditions where traditional measurement methods are not effective, such as induction cookers, high-voltage transformers or explosive environments.

Arturs Bundulis, Senior Researcher, Organic Materials Laboratory, presented the possibilities of heterogeneous integration of polymers in inorganic integrated photonic circuits to offer a cheaper, more energy-efficient option instead of conventional electronic chips.

Rihards Ruska, Research Assistant, CFI, LU, presented a project on bioactive fluorescent coatings with antimicrobial properties that could be used in healthcare or food packaging to protect products, homes and human health from mould in the future.

See Sergejs Fomins, Head of the Vision Perception Laboratoryspoke about a mobile infrared spectroscopy underwater sensor capable of detecting PFAS and microplastic contamination in different aquatic environments - a problem that is becoming increasingly important worldwide.

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion with the project authors and "Mentor of BioPhoT platform Ģirts Ozoliņš, Senior Expert on Technology Commercialisation and Innovation, CFI. He introduced the mission of the BioPhoT platform - to support the translation of scientific ideas into practical solutions and commercialisable technologies.

During the discussion, the researchers briefly recalled the nature of their research and outlined its potential impact on society, while in the ensuing conversation they shared their career paths as scientists - the motivations, challenges and opportunities of working in science - to give the young minds in the audience a better insight into their potential future careers.

Guests could also enjoy a fire show, challenge themselves in a laser maze and a break-out room, and watch and try out various experiments with light, temperature and the latest technologies developed at the Institute, such as microfluidics chips and touch sensors. Throughout the evening, guests also showed interest in other scientists' stories, both on specific scientific topics (micro and nano worlds, light technologies) and on mistakes made in their scientific careers that have taught them valuable lessons. 

Scientists' Night 2025 clearly showed that Latvian scientists are not only working on high-level research, but also actively thinking about its societal relevance and practical applications. "The BioPhoT stage programme became a shining example of how science can inspire, educate and drive innovation, while at the same time stimulating public interest in technological development and the scientific profession.

On 26 September, Scientists' Night will be an unforgettable experience for everyone - young people and students, families, educators and technology enthusiasts. The BioPhoT platform invites you to discover the world of Latvian researchers - from brilliant ideas in biophotonics to exciting inventions that are changing medicine, the environment and everyday life.

Visitors will be welcome at the Academic Centre of the University of Latvia, the Institute of Solid State Physics and the Institute of Organic Synthesis, where they can meet scientists, try creative games and learn how future technologies are being developed. It will be a great opportunity to explore the world of science and get inspired for STEM studies and careers.

From 17.20 in Rooms 103 and 104 of the Academic Centre of the Faculty of Science, Jelgavas iela 3 "The BioPhoT stage will give you the chance to discover projects where light and technology are helping doctors, protecting the environment and creating new devices for our everyday lives. Visitors will learn how endoscopic and non-contact heating devices are being developed, rapid tests that detect bacteria, biosensors and gas monitors that let you see the invisible, technologies that make life safer and healthier by detecting tumours faster, and more. Emerging innovations in Latvia.

Until 20.00, families can also take part in exciting games: the quiz game "STEM UP!", which stimulates interest in science, technology and mathematics, and the brand new board game "Exoplanet Escape", which allows children and adults to complete missions, overcome challenges and explore STEM professions. The programme of the Researchers' Night 2025 is available on the Faculty of Science website: https://www.lu.lv/zinatne/zinatnes-komunikacija/zinatne-un-sabiedriba/zinatnieku-nakts/zinatnieku-nakts-2025/ 

18.20-19.00 at the Institute of Solid State Physics, 8 Kengaraga Street Innovators will be on hand to talk about projects under development in Latvia - optical temperature sensors, bioactive coatings and gas sensors. Scientists will share their research, show how ideas are born and how challenges are overcome. A preview of the CFI Scientists' Night 2025 programmes: https://www.cfi.lu.lv/zinatnieku-nakts/ 

From 19.15 at the Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles iela 21 material scientist Anton Sizov and his colleagues will be there to welcome you. He will talk about his innovative solution for extending the life of dental drills, which is being developed with the support of BioPhoT and will allow children and parents to get to know the everyday life of scientists, ask questions and find out how inventions are made. OSI Scientists' Night 2025 programme: https://www.osi.lv/21237-2/zinatnieku-nakts-2024/ 

All Scientists' Night and BioPhoT events are open to families, children, young people, students, educators, technology enthusiasts - everyone! - and are free of charge. It's a great opportunity to discover the magic of science, the power of Latvian innovation and experience future technologies together!

Presenting your project is one of the key requirements for BioPhoT calls - good presenting skills can significantly increase your chances of funding.

We invite you to take the opportunity to participate in the presentation skills training on 15 and 16 October, 9.30 - 14.30 at the Small Auditorium of the University of Latvia, 19 Raina Boulevard.

Presentation skills training is designed to teach you how to communicate complex information in 5 minutes and how to quantify and demonstrate the value of a project. Practical part: prepare, visualise and present your "pitch" effectively.

Teacher: Gleb Maltsev (Estonia)

Evaluated 900+ pitch presentations per year in recent years; 5+ years of practical experience in business management; trained hundreds of managers, entrepreneurs, scientists and creative people. More information about the trainer: LinkedIn profile

IMPORTANT: For feedback from the trainer, please send an English presentation using the presentation template to the following email address by 17 September biophot@biophot.lv.

Presentation template:

The sessions will focus on presentation skills rather than content, so prepare your presentation even if you haven't fully formulated your idea yet. Up to 20 presentations will be considered during the programme, with priority given to the first to register.

Registration for the event is compulsory for all participants - both presenters and team members - by 12 October: https://luma.com/skn64gxa

"BioPhoT approved Platform innovation projects will be regularly evaluated and mentored using the IRL developed by KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Innovation Readiness Level) methodology.

All interested parties, in particular teams from approved BioPhoT projects, are invited to participate in an online workshop to learn more about the approach and its practical application.

The agenda will be divided into two parts: the theoretical part will explain the nature of the KTH IRL methodology and its practical applications for assessing the maturity level of innovation projects and for development planning. This will be followed by a discussion and Q&A session, which will provide an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the application of the methodology in the context of BioPhoT projects.

The workshop will be moderated by Ģirts Ozoliņš, BioPhoT platform mentor.

Interested participants are invited to register in advance. More information, including a log-in link: http://bit.ly/3Ix3pFU

DEEP TECH CEE SUMMIT 2025 - one of the most ambitious and influential deep tech ecosystem activities in Central and Eastern Europe - will take place in Warsaw from 27 to 29 October deep tech Find out more and book your ticket now!

The event will bring together innovative start-ups, scientists, corporate representatives, venture capital funds, corporate venture capitalists and experienced business angels from across the region and beyond.

Participants can look forward to a wide and varied programmewhich includes:

• Latest news and deep tech presentations on trends, and technological breakthroughs
• Networking opportunities with investors, industry leaders and entrepreneurs
• Practical workshops, thematic panels, targeted networking sessions
• Inspiring stories and examples of successful innovations
• Opportunities to launch international collaborations and projects with high growth potential

"Don't miss this opportunity to raise funds, build valuable partnerships and take part in the most cutting-edge event of the season!" the organisers invite.

We invite everyone to find out more about this event and take the opportunity to participate!

More information and tickets available: https://deeptechsummit.eu/

On 21 August, from 15.00 to 17.00, Startup House will host the Community Forum in Riga, bringing together startups, researchers and innovation ecosystem players.

As part of the event, we invite researchers to apply to participate in a special deeptech section - "Pitch Science" - where scientists will have the opportunity to present their solutions and receive practical feedback from experienced start-up founders.

Format:

• 5-minute idea presentation
• 10-15 minute comments from startup representatives:
  • potential industrial applications
  • business model options
  • improving presentation and communication

Scientists are also invited to highlight a specific challenge they face - for example, the need for pilot partners, industry collaboration or scaling issues. The event is free of charge for scientists (limited number of places, participation on a first-come, first-served basis).

The aim of the event is to foster collaboration between academia and business, to promote the emergence of deep-tech entrepreneurs and the commercialisation of scientific innovations.

If you have any questions, please contact Alina Dolmati, EIT Community Coordinator in Latvia: alina.dolmate@rtu.lv

Working language: English.

Link to the application form.

Organisers: The event is organised by the Latvian Start-up Association "Startin.LV", EIT Community Hub Latvia and Riga Technical University. The event is supported by FINEST Scaleup and the project is in collaboration with the long-term national research programme project BioPhoT.

Applications are now open for Venture Catalysts, a free training programme for budding entrepreneurs and scientists in Latvia to develop their innovative ideas into competitive businesses. The five-week training programme will run from 29 July to 28 August.

"The Venture Catalysts programme is designed for founders, academic teams and PhD students working at the intersection of science and business. "Venture Catalysts is a hands-on, training programme focusing on commercialisation, innovation strategy, leadership and start-up development. Participants learn step-by-step how to build a viable deep tech from assessing market potential to developing a business model and attracting investors. The programme is free of charge for all selected candidates.

The programme is organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and implemented by the BioPhoT platform partner UniLab in cooperation with RTU Riga Business School and RISEBA. It is co-funded by the European Union and is part of a broader initiative to promote sustainable, research-based innovation across Latvia.

Programme: from 29 July to 28 August, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 17.00-19.00, in English. Format: Interactive online sessions with face-to-face networking opportunities.

The programme has been developed by UniLab in cooperation with RTU Riga Business School, RISEBA and with the support of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA).

More information and application: https://www.liaa.gov.lv/lv/notikums/apmacibu-programma-venture-catalysts

About Venture Catalysts "Venture Catalysts is a national training initiative that supports the development of science-based start-ups in Latvia. The programme is a joint project of LIAA, UniLab, RTU Riga Business School and RISEBA, implemented within the framework of the ERDF project "Support for Innovative SME Entrepreneurship Development" (ID No. 1.2.3.1/1/23/I/001). Its aim is to accelerate the commercialisation of deep tech innovations and foster a more dynamic, internationally competitive start-up ecosystem in Latvia.

On 26 May, the Riga Technical University Science and Innovation Centre hosted the industry panel presentations of the projects submitted for the first BioPhoT call. Over three days, more than a hundred project representatives will stand in front of industry experts to present more about their innovations and answer questions.

The first BioPhoT call for Research and Innovation Projects (RIPs) received more than 120 RIP applications: scientists and industry from the biomedical, medical technology, pharmaceutical, photonics, smart materials and engineering areas of the Smart Specialisation Strategy or RIS3 had the opportunity to apply for a share of the total €6 million national funding. In the first round, which runs from 26-28 May, an independent panel of experts analyses the innovative potential and market relevance of the ideas submitted.

"The projects submitted, and of course the presentations, cover a wide range of topics. Overall, I would say that what we see here is in line with what the mentors and the organisers of the presentations expected - namely that the guidance given to the applicants has been valuable and has been taken into account. Let's see how the experts judge it!" on the first day of the presentations Osvalds Pugovičs, BioPhoT Platform Manager said.

The first round of RIP applications is evaluated by five industry and commercialisation experts: Irit Janiva, M.D., MBA, healthcare business executive, investor and entrepreneur, Matīss Neimanis, Managing Partner and CEO of Buildit Latvia, a venture capital fund and accelerator, Barak Azmon, doctor and founder and CEO of several medical start-ups, Peter Birk, life sciences executive, investor and advisor, and Martin Askne, startup coach, innovation manager and business angel. Project presentations are moderated by Andris Baumanis.

"This is the first round of project selection, which will be followed by a second, more in-depth evaluation. Based on this short period of time alone, it is not yet possible to make a very concrete and unambiguous assessment of the projects. Overall, there have been a few projects that are a little unconvincing, but of course there are also very good applications. Our panel of experts is a complete team to evaluate projects, as each of us is experienced and specialised in our respective fields - usually the more you know about a subject, the more aspects and problems you can spot," said the panel members at the end of the first day.

The competition offers up to €200 000 per approved project, with a 12-month implementation period, extendable by three months. In the second round of applications, experts selected by the Latvian Science Council will carry out scientific expertise and the results are expected in October this year.

On 14 May, Riga Technical University Science and Innovation Centre hosted one of the Deep Tech Atelier 2025 events - "Research Translation: Deep Tech & Lab Open Doors". The event was organized by EIT Community Hub in Latvia in partnership with Biocatalyst Foundation and BioPhoT platform partners, bringing together researchers, start-up founders, innovation ecosystem representatives and investors.

During the event, the BoPhoT platform was highlighted as an example of best practice in targeted collaboration between research and industry. Anna Stikāne from the platform presented the support available - funding opportunities, mentoring network and practical tools to help researchers develop their ideas, build solutions for industry and get to the commercialisation stage. Some of the bravest BioPhoT candidates had the opportunity to try their hand at presenting their idea and received valuable feedback from the event participants.

Guest speaker Haim Piratinskiy (FESTO, Germany) shared his experience on the most common reasons why early stage science-intensive technologies (deep tech) teams fail to reach the market. Jakub Jasiczak, CEO of the Polish Association for University Technology Transfer, also took part in the discussion, analysing together the strengths and weaknesses of the ecosystem.

After the main programme, the participants went on excursions to the Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence (BBCE), led by Professor Jānis Ločs, and to the Aeronautics Research Laboratory of Riga Technical University, Space Engineering laboratory (headed by Viktors Gutakovskis) and SkyLab/Design Factory (hosted by Elīna Miķelsone), where they had the opportunity to get to know the research and innovation infrastructure first-hand, as well as to strengthen mutual contacts for future cooperation in an informal atmosphere.

Photos from the event see in the photo gallery.

On 21 May, Scott Dax, PhD in Chemistry (USA), presented his biotechnology commercialisation experience at the Organic Synthesis Institute (OSI). He is an expert in the discovery and development of new drugs with more than 25 years of experience in drug development and commercialisation of ideas.

The lecture took place at a time when BioPhoT participants are preparing to present their ideas to a panel of experts who will assess both the market potential of the scientists' ideas and the ability of the author to present a convincing solution.

Sharing his professional experience in drug development, Scott Dax went through each step of this complex process and gave practical advice on what data sets are needed at each stage of development and how scientists can present their idea to attract the interest of investors and big pharma companies.

Scott Dax imaginatively compared a scientist who wants to sell his drug to the big players to an astronaut seeking funding for three expeditions to the Moon, not knowing for sure whether any of them will be successful. With this analogy, he drew attention to the cost of developing a single drug and the likelihood of it reaching the shelves of pharmacies. The cost of developing a single medicine through each phase of testing ranges from several hundred million to several billion euros. The process can take up to 20 years. The stakes are therefore very high for chemists and biologists to get market players interested.

Scott Dax stressed that one of the cornerstones for the success of any research project is the development of a team - a broad, interdisciplinary team, including financiers, lawyers and other specialists where appropriate. He also stressed the importance of anticipating mistakes early and having a plan in place to deal with them. Another universal recommendation is that scientists should have frequent and extensive dialogue with the potential end-user of the product when developing their project. In the case of Scott Dax, he spoke frequently with the patients for whom his team was developing drugs. "Be open to uncomfortable questions - being able to take them on board and deal with them will be the key to your strength," says Scott Dax.

The speaker pointed out that when preparing to pitch your scientific idea to investors, it is important to think about the way and the language in which to talk to business players. For this audience, it is crucial to hear that a scientist's idea not only solves a pressing problem, but that the solution will be profitable. Scott Dax summed up his talk by saying, "Remember, investors' desire to make money is always greater than their fear of losing money!"

Dr Scott Dax Areas of activity include organic chemistry, drug discovery, pharmacology, manufacturing technology and intellectual property protection. He currently heads DRx Pharma Consulting & Services. Clients include pharmaceutical companies, accelerators and incubators, venture capitalists, non-profit organisations, contract research companies, start-ups and legal service providers. Scott Dax has secured over USD 100 million in investments to date.

On 15 and 16 May, Riga will host the largest deep tech event in the Baltics Deep Tech Atelier 2025, a two-day event bringing together entrepreneurs, scientists, investors and industry leaders, with presentations by internationally renowned experts, idea presentations (pitch sessions), hands-on workshops and an exhibition with the latest technological solutions. The BioPhoT platform partners are also especially inviting everyone to a number of events during the festival.

Deep Tech Atelier 2025 key topics will include artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, defence and space, as well as future developments and funding opportunities. The event will include B2B zone, networking events and ample opportunities to make new contacts. The festival will host a series of discussions, presentations and panel discussions that will be of value to anyone looking to collaborate and develop new technologies. The Expo or exhibition area will provide an opportunity to explore practical deep technology solutions in MI, space, defence and other fields, including the work of BioPhoT partners.

On 14 May, just in time for Deep Tech Atelier 2025, the European Institute of Technology (EIT) will host a conference organised at the Riga Technical University (RTU) Science and Innovation Centre at Kipsalas iela 6A from 16.00 "Commercialising Research: Deep Tech and Open Labs". The event aims to strengthen the link between science and business, while fostering the development of the next generation of deep tech leaders. The BioPhoT platform will be presented at the event as an example of successful collaboration between science and industry. The event is free to attend, but places are limited, so pre-registration. The language of the event is English.

On 15 May at 15.30, lectureScaling science into impact: the role of research platforms and public-private partnership) by Uppsala University Professor Anders Karlén will take place on the festivals' Deep Tech Stage. His research focuses on the identification of starting materials and the development of potential drugs for antimicrobial drug discovery. Between 2014 and 2021, prof. Karlén was Head of Unit and co-coordinator of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) project ENABLE. He is currently the coordinator of the national project ENABLE-2, the follow-up to ENABLE. Since 2019, he is leading the six-year IMI-2 project COMBINE, part of the IMI Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Accelerator Initiative. In this lecture, prof. Karlén will describe how the ENABLE platform has contributed to addressing the needs of the pharmaceutical industry and public health.

The lecture will be followed by Panel discussionThe future of innovation: industry collaboration and sustainable science funding at 15.50.). Experts - Jurģis Miezainis, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia, Vitālijs Skrīvelis, PharmIdea SIA Board Member and Co-Owner, Osvalds Pugovičs, Deputy Director of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and BioPhoT Platform Manager, Joanna Lipner, Picralida co-founder and Executive Director - moderated by Sandra Kropa, will discuss how long-term financial support fosters scientific discovery and accelerates technology commercialisation.

On 16 May, a panel "Industry's challenges for science" (Industry Challenges for Science)will take place at 10.00. Industry professionals are invited to share real challenges that require interdisciplinary thinking and new collaborations. Life sciences, biomedical, medical technology and pharmaceutical professionals are invited to briefly present technical challenges and a "wish list" for their fields, for receiving informal feedback and new ideas from researchers, experts and other professionals, and make contacts that can lead to collaborations, research projects or co-developed innovations. Presentations on issues in their fields will be presented by TBD PharmaTech (Estonia), Lithuania BIO (Lithuania), Molport, PMNet Forum, Cellbox Labs and Roche Latvia representatives.

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An intensive hands-on training event was held at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis with great interest and a large attendance of more than 50 participants, where participants learned the basic principles of presentation structuring, content creation and public speaking. The event was moderated by Kristaps Pētersons, an experienced presentation master.

At the beginning of the training, the lecturer introduced the BioPhoT short presentation template, highlighting the essential elements to pay attention to, as well as the common mistakes in presenting. The theoretical part of the workshop provided a clear structure and direction for the practical work to follow.

In the practical part of the workshop, participants developed and presented their draft presentations, receiving detailed and valuable feedback from the lecturer.

Kristaps Petersons, a presentation skills specialist with more than 30 years of experience in journalism and thousands of presentations, inspired with his professional approach, clear examples and individual approach to each participant.

The first call for BioPhoT research and innovation projects is open until 8 May. Applications will be evaluated in two rounds. In the first round, a panel of independent science, industry and innovation experts will assess the innovative potential of the R&I project idea and its relevance to market and/or end-user needs. Applicants will be required to prepare a five-minute presentation and after their presentation in front of the panel, a 10-minute question and answer session. The second round will consist of a full project submission and scientific peer review by experts selected by the Latvian Science Council.

More than 30 scientists in person participated in the BioPhoT Platform Info-day on 10 April, and around 20 online. The aim of the event was to help scientists prepare for the submission of their project proposals on 8 May. 

"Given how different the objectives and criteria of BioPhoT are from traditional science funding competitions, our task is to help scientists orient themselves and prepare as much as possible for the selection process, where they will be judged not by scientists but by business people," said Osvalds Pugovičs, BioPhoT Platform Manager and Deputy Director of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. 

"Under BioPhoT, the Ministry of Economics has tasked Latvian research organisations (scientists) with proposing, designing and developing research that will lead to projects that will benefit the economy for the next eight years. The overarching objective is to invest in science to boost Latvia's economic development and global competitiveness. 

Research carried out by BioPhoT scientists should be able to provide new, competitive solutions in biomedicine, medicine, pharmaceuticals, photonics, smart materials, electronics and engineering systems. 

After the submission of the project, the first selection round is the most important - a 5-minute presentation of the project followed by a discussion with the BioPhoT expert panel, an international team of professionals with experience in the commercial sector, business development and commercialisation of science. 

"The first round will be open to those projects whose authors are able to concisely and clearly answer the questions: what specific problem in industry or the economy can be solved in this way, why it can be done with the proposed idea and how the scientist's solution is better than existing ones," the selection criteria relevant to the BioPhoT platform was pointed out by Ģirts Ozoliņš, one of the seven mentors of the platform, senior expert at the Institute of Solid State Physics.  

The project teams that make it through the first selection round will go on to develop their applications in detail and will be assessed by a panel of experts from the Latvian Research Council, focusing on the scientific aspects of the idea. 

€6 million is available for projects that pass this year's first funding call. Researchers will be able to receive up to €200,000 per project. A second call for BioPhoT projects is planned for autumn this year. 

The BioPhoT Info-day provided participants with an overview of the application procedure, project selection criteria, the meaning of mentoring and the scope of assistance. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions in public and to consult individually with BioPhoT mentors and experts who were there to support applicants. Through the platform's funding, mentoring support is available to project applicants already during the preparation period. 

On 1 April, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry hosted the BioPhoT Mentoring Day.

During the event, the mentors of the platform gave a detailed insight into the practical aspects of BioPhoT, the role of mentors and the methodology. Scientists had the opportunity to ask questions and get answers on project development and application preparation.

"BioPhoT - or "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" is a long-term national research programme designed to foster collaboration between scientists and the commercial sector to develop new technologies with high commercialisation potential in the biomedical, photonics and related sectors. It is designed as a long-term initiative with specific objectives in technology development and commercialisation. The platform has a particular focus on the commercialisation of research results, with a mentoring support system, training and additional innovation education available to project authors. These features make BioPhoT an important initiative in the Latvian science and innovation ecosystem, fostering closer cooperation between research and business, and contributing to Latvia's international competitiveness," the organizers highlighted.

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). 

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.