The Catalan Biotechnology Reference Network rewards young researchers’ innovation and entrepreneurship

BY BIOCAT

The Catalan Biotechnology Reference Network (XRB) will award next 24th March at the Museum Colet of Barcelona its first IDEA Awards to the best R+D proposals of its young researchers. A total of 17 projects have been presented. They represent practically all areas of biotechnological research.

The proposals have been evaluated for its viability, innovation, the methodology proposed complexity, or for being addressed to relevant social problems, the possibility of intellectual protection, among other factors. The awarded projects will enjoy a prize which will allow them to start the project and a coaching service to help them execute their ideas and reach the market.

The jury is formed by Dr. Montserrat Vendrell, Biocat CEO; Dr. Lluís Ruiz, Managing Partner & CEO of Janus Developments; Dr. Ignasi Belda, CEO of Intelligent Pharma; Dr. Pere Puigdomènech, director of the the Centre for Research Agricultural Genomics Consorcio (CSIC-IRTA-UAB) and Dr. Jordi Garcia-Mas, CRAG researcher and Head of Unit 4 Vegetal Genetics of the XRB.

The XRB was established in 1994 by the Government of Catalonia, within the program Networks of Reference, and is structured like a centre without walls organized in seven units which include the main fields of biotechnological research. It gathers over 500 researchers who belong to different institutions. Its objectives are to promote interdisciplinary research of quality in the area of biotechnology to favour knowledge exchange between public research and companies; they work to improve social perception of biotechnology; and promote the collaboration with the industry sector and stimulate the creation of new companies.

Date: Thursday, 24 March 2011
Time: 9.30 am
Venue: Museu Colet • C/ Buenos Aires, 56 • Barcelona (Spain)

Program

In depth: The Catalan Biotechnology Reference Network awards a proposal for sustainable use of waste (31/3/2011)