WP4: Fostering innovation capacity

Work package number

WP4

Work package title

Fostering innovation capacity

Objectives:

1. To promote industry partnerships

2. To innovate on TRIAD discoveries and promote entrepreneurship

Description of work

Task 4.1. To promote industry partnerships: To promote industry collaborations, ERDF research teams will tap into the expertise of TTOs at UC, iMM, and MU. These TTOs will assist in scaling up innovations related to biomarkers, drugs, and intervention approaches against age-related chronic inflammation and tissue degenerative diseases. They will facilitate research agreements and partnerships for mutual benefit. UC's TTO is a recognized catalyst for innovation in Greece's healthcare ecosystem, attracting start-ups and pharmaceutical companies interested in exploring new therapeutics and drug targets. TRIAD will leverage this expertise to help research teams effectively utilize their results. iMM's TTO supports researchers in bringing inventions to market, focusing on societal impact and global health improvement through IPR protection, entrepreneurship, start-up creation, and collaborations with commercial partners. MU's TTO excels in IPR consulting, identifying relevant industries for research contracts, securing financial resources, and negotiating contracts.

Task 4.2. To innovate on TRIAD discoveries and promote entrepreneurship, the Garinis, Azzalin, and Krejčí labs will utilize specialized on-site incubators equipped with R&D facilities, office space, and administrative and legal support. These incubators aim to help ERDF beneficiaries validate and transform their ideas into viable businesses. Projects at UC, iMM, and MU with a proof of concept and lab prototype related to TRIAD research focus will be eligible for intensive bootcamps. These bootcamps will provide entrepreneurship training, raise awareness about complementary funding opportunities, and offer access to networks facilitated by mentors, coaches, tech transfer, and IP professionals available at UC, iMM, and MU. Additionally, access to validation labs and patient networks with chronic inflammatory diseases will be provided. UC, iMM, and MU TTOs will collaborate with TRIAD scientists to offer training on entrepreneurship and business aspects. The course will address IP matters and explore ways to commercialize novel ideas.