The new Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence also offering new opportunities for companies
The new Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence also offering new opportunities for companies
The new building of the Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence (BBCE) was officially opened at the end of January and will henceforth serve as the new BBCE headquarters. Here, scientists from the Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technologies of Riga Technical University (RTU) will study and develop biomaterials for restoring bone and soft tissue to be used in maxillofacial surgeries, orthopaedics and other areas. The new centre will not only speed up development of biomaterial science and innovation in Latvia and Europe but will also serve as a valuable cooperation platform connecting science and business.
The BBCE is located on the RTU campus at Ķīpsala and it provides a state-of-the-art environment for research, innovation and collaboration with businesses. To strengthen this cooperation, the RTU Science and Innovation Centre will hold an information event “Life Sciences Breakfast” on 5 February which will be a satellite event of the start-up and technology conference TechChill. Science and business leaders, the deep-tech community and start-ups are all invited to attend.
Participants will have a chance to hear about the Baltic biotechnologies action plan, find out about the support mechanisms available through the EIT Community and EIT Health initiatives of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), as well as international collaboration opportunities provided by the Biocatalyst Foundation. At the event, the new investment fund BuildIt VC will inform the participants about venture capital investment options and conditions for obtaining early-stage investments for start-ups.
This will allow the attendees to not only establish new contacts, but also learn about the latest studies and cooperation programmes of the BBCE, including the “Rent a Scientist” initiative aimed at promoting commercialisation of scientific solutions. Entry to the event is free of charge, but space is limited, so pre-registration is necessary.
“The event will serve as a friendly environment for networking, exchange of ideas and developing cooperation. There will also be an open mic for participants to introduce themselves, share their ideas and seek out cooperation partners for their projects. Furthermore, the event will also be an opportunity to meet international guests, including investors looking for new solution,” Riga Technical University spokespeople said.
RTU emphasises that the BBCE is a large-scale project aimed at raising scientific capacity to not only strengthen the biomaterials sector in the region, but also promote international cooperation and ensure a full cycle of development of biomaterials from the initial idea to clinical application.
“Innovative biomaterials are the future of personalised regenerative medicine,” highlights Jānis Ločs, professor at the Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technologies at RTU. RTU scientists are already working together with local and international partners in developing innovative medicine delivery systems that provide controlled and localised dosing of active substances making treatment more effective and patient friendly. Scientists are developing organ-on-a-chip technologies which are used in testing medicines, including the development of personalised treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
The equipment of the new centre will provide broader opportunities for developing and researching biomaterials, including 3D printed organ materials. Laboratories at the new centre are equipped with an additional 20 state-of-the-art scientific devices, including a 3D printer for printing tissues, an x-ray microtomograph allowing for detailed study of the structure of materials, and a scanning electron microscope for studying nanoparticles.
