Norway plans for innovation
Norway is to boost its biotech sector as part of a new initiative, being launched in 2007, that will forge alliances between academia and industry through a network of Centres for Research-based Innovation (CRI). The Research Council of Norway is providing NOK1,120 ($183) million to the CRIs over the initiative's eight-year lifespan. Each CRI is a university, or other organization, with a strong reputation that will bring together business and research partners (who will also contribute funding) in a consortium to promote commercial innovation through long-term research. Five of the 14 CRIs are devoted to life sciences, including centers devoted to medical imaging, telemedicine, aquaculture and marine biotech. The fifth life science CRI, the Centre for Stem Cell–based Targeted Tumor Therapy (SENIT), based at the Radium Hospital in Oslo, will investigate tumor-specific antibodies and drugs. Martin Welschof, CEO of the Oslo-based antibody company Affitech, one of several industrial partners joining this consortium, says the initiative will help his company discover and commercialize cancer biomarkers. SENIT will also help strengthen the growing cluster of oncology companies in Oslo, he says, adding: “The government commitment is important and something we can build on for biotechnology in Norway.” SA
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