Knowledge Transfer in Bioeconomy: Can we apply the food model to marine, forestry, biotechnology and agriculture?

Transcription

1 Knowledge Transfer in Bioeconomy: Can we apply the food model to marine, forestry, biotechnology and agriculture? Declan J. Troy, Assistant Director of Research

2 Outline of Presentation The Teagasc Food Technology and Knowledge Transfer Model Gateways etc. A shifting paradigm in Technology and Knowledge Transfer Lessons for all sectors Actions to prime the effectiveness of Transfer What works and what needs a push What s needed for the wider bioeconomy? Conclusions

3 Focus:Dairy and Beverages Dairy Focus: Meat and other Foods

4 Specific Issues in Food Innovation Food is perishable Part of a complex chain Seasonable Consumer awareness Fragmented industry Retailer dominance Don t touch my food (highly regulated) Conservative industry Low absorption capacity and low research and development spend of food sector Food innovation is highly contextual Must meet a consumer demand Consumer and industry conservatism

5 Innovation Eco-system Public Research Performers Large businesses Small businesses Spin outs Idea Concept Developed Proof of Concept Technology Validation in Lab Technology Validation in Relevant Environment Demonstration in Relevant Environment Demonstration in Operational Environment System Complete and Qualified Successful Mission Operations

6 Barriers to effective TT Lack of spend by companies Talent investment Absorption capacity Assimilate and understand new information Cost and risk of getting involved Lack of time Fragmented industry and research community Lack of effectiveness of interactions with scientists Lack of market knowledge Lack of senior management commitment

7 Overall objective To implement a systematic, effective and flexible technology transfer process which supports commercial exploitation of our research outputs and scientific capability through various channels Central proposition : every researchers responsibility TEAGASC Supporting Innovation in the Irish Bio-Economy

8 Teagasc Technology Transfer Office Intellectual Property Patents Licencing Collaborative research agreements Food Industry Development Department Product development Specialist training & managed consultancy Marketing support Pilot plant facilities

9 Transfer Model

10 Development of a Technology Marketing Portfolio The Portfolio is updated on a six monthly basis and is re-issued before a Food Innovation Gateways event. The feedback in relation to our Portfolio from companies is very positive. Web based, hard copy, USB, DVD forms available. The potential to develop an app and also to engage in more social media are being explored.

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12 Gateways Events Themed events (2 per year) delegates Case studies and state supports presentations

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14 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) The purpose of CRM is to efficiently and effectively increase the acquisition and retention of important customers by selectively initiating, building and maintaining appropriate relationships with them. It allows us to: Understand key customer groups Define what customers need and value Target customer groups Tailor products and services for customers Refine channel strategies Measure customer activity in relation to marketing campaigns, new product introductions, etc.

15 Mapping of Teagasc key personnel, technologies and systems All our researchers have undergone in-depth interviews An in-depth audit of Teagasc technologies including its IP, infrastructure and expertise Researchers report all commercial and collaboration research projects direct to the TTO in a systematic and transparent fashion Revised and active contacts data base system All researchers regularly contribute to the updating of the Technology Portfolio by submitting new or modified Technology Offers, Technology Updates, Services and Expertise.

16 Wet Process Unit Separation Technology Evaporation & Drying Cheese-making Unit Fat Technology Unit Food Technology Applications Unit Fermentation Unit Bio Functional Food Engineering Unit

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18 Recent UK findings back-up our approach Public support for the innovation system is too complex. People are central to successful collaborations. Effective brokerage is crucial, particularly for SMEs. Pump-prime funding would stimulate the development of high quality research collaboration. Technology transfer offices need to prioritise knowledge exchange over shortterm income generation. Government strategy on innovation needs to be better coordinated and have greater visibility.

19 Inspiring Partnership - the national IP There is a broadening of types of support, as policy makers recognise the full spectrum of KT channels and the potential value added of providing some top down advice or financial support (e.g. innovation vouchers, industry fellowships, etc.) Protocol 2016

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21 Key People and Supports Needed Researcher fully committed, aware of technological opportunity and our strategy, customer friendly and focused, entrepreneurial skills Industry- fully committed, solution focused, appropriate absorption capacity TTO- fully supportive, coordinated, empathic, time conscious, IP identification and management, a conduit to bring funded projects to commercialization stage, clear process, use of ICT

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23 Modern Technology Transfer Offices manage their IP better explore new channels to market opportunities through open science and through entrepreneurship create open models for collaboration consider changes in how they organise themselves

24 Marine bio-resources investigated Macro / micro-algae Marine processing by-products and discards

25 Raw material to Product Feasibility study Mapping of marine resources, IP Audit, Consumer attitudes and market analysis, Regulatory affairs, Literature Searches, Identification of knowledge gaps Sourcing & Processing of raw materials Algae, Products/Byproducts of processing, Aquaculture Bio-active discovery & generation Extraction, Characterisation Purification, Mining (Chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis), Algal production optimisation Toxicity & Dietary intervention Scale-up & delivery Pilot scale isolation & extraction, Formulation Stabilisation Bioavailability Shelf life studies Sensory assessment Bio-active screening & validation Model systems, Gene expression, Cell Cultures Animal models

26 Scientific Platforms Established Discards Enzymatic hydrolysis Separation Valuable compounds By-product Enzymes (Alcalase Protease) Optimisation (Temperature, ph) Centrifugation Proteins Enzymes Fatty acids Free amino acids Minerals Carotenoids Collagen Human food Animal/fish feed Fine chemicals Pharmaceutica l Biomedical Biotechnology

27 What are the Learnings for the Wider Bioeconomy Sectors? Unique to the Food Model in Ireland: Large food industry presence and influence industry leaders Food is high on the political agenda Foodwise / Food Harvest Established supply chains and identifiable players Physical infrastructure for scale-up Each bioeconomy sector in Ireland has their own unique challenges and opportunities The food model can t be directly applied to other sectors no one size fits all Different resource base, different skills, different regulatory processes, different levels of infrastructural support, different policies and guidance strategies, different national priorities

28 Need for national bioeconomy framework? Inherently complex Competition between generators and users of biomass Cross-sectoral synergies to develop new, innovative research areas and ensure policy is robust, coherent and sustainable

29 Key elements of a bioeconomy framework RDI Policy Market Need to stimulate cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary research Need industrial leadership Need to ensure effective and efficient KT Need to build human capacity Need demonstration / scale-up projects Need to ensure synergies and alignment between different policies Need to ensure access to risk capital Develop international cooperation Need to stimulate Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) Need to create new market (public procurement) Need to set up networks and infrastructure Need to inform and engage with consumers Need establish new standards

30 Dublin, Ireland 21 st 25 th August 2016

31 Knowledge Transfer in Bioeconomy: Can we apply the food model to marine, forestry, biotechnology and agriculture? Declan J. Troy, Assistant Director of Research

32 Innovation People