Innovators - IBioIC (conference edition)

y Biotechnolog n special editio January 2018

Biotech is building a better world Jean Peccoud talks cyberbiosecurity Join the Fashion for Good movement

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1

Welcome

IN THIS ISSUE Biotechnology & …

2 Cyberbiosecurity 4 Fashion

B

iotechnology is transforming how industries and societies operate. Just about every sector is feeling the effect. And in this special biotech edition, we take a look at some of the areas where it is making an impact, including fashion; food; and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Professor Jean Peccoud, Abell Chair in Synthetic Biology at Colorado State University, also shares his insight and advice on the hot topic of cyberbiosecurity.

And I wholeheartedly agree with the organisers of the triennial ACHEMA trade show - the world forum for the process industries, in labelling Innovators Magazine the ‘perfect fit’ to be the official publishers of its ‘biotech for chemistry’ magazine.

Read more on the role the ‘biotech for chemistry’ theme will play at ACHEMA 2018, which will welcome around 170,000 professionals to Frankfurt this summer.

As well as being sent to a targeted biotechnology audience digitally, this magazine is being distributed to delegates attending the fourth annual conference of Scotland’s Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) in Glasgow. It is the third year we have been a media partner with the conference, which has quickly established itself as one of the most influential in Europe. We have a special feature section by IBioIC inside.

I am also happy to announce we are continuing our collaboration with Newsquest International, on the annual Global Game Changers awards. The platform recognises and showcases the achievements of cross-sectoral innovators contributing to the SDGs. It will be held in Glasgow later this year, and then in London in 2019.

We’ll have more details on this on our website within the next few weeks.

Iain Robertson Editor

6 The UN Sustainable Development Goals

10 Women 12 Food 14 Chemistry 16 Trends Q&A

18 Adeel Aslam, Bouygues Energies & Services

IBioIC feature

22 Industrial Biotechnology

Innovation Centre (IBioIC) conference messages

And…

28 BIO conference returns to Philadelphia

CORE TEAM Editor | Iain Robertson Partnerships | Susan Robertson Digital | Ryan McFadyen Design | Blair Carrick News & Features | Carlotta De Toni Operations | Gillian Greig

CONTACT

Newsdesk: editorial@innovatorsmag.com Advertising: advertising@innovatorsmag.com Reception: +44 (0)141 570 0029 150 Central Chambers, 11 Bothwell St | Glasgow | Scotland | innovatorsmag.com | @innovatorsmag Innovators Magazine accepts no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. All material is copyright and reproduction is not permitted without express permission. All rights reserved.

It’s time to talk about cyberbiosecurity Innovators Magazine caught up with Professor Jean Peccoud, Abell Chair in Synthetic Biology at Colorado State University, to find out why…

Can you give us an

Q overview of the emerging

field of cyberbiosecurity?

The field is so new that its

A boundaries are very much in flux.

Some people would include standard cybersecurity or physical security of life science facilities. Others tend to include cybersecurity of clinical data or human genomics database in this area. People like the sound bite and often associate it with a number of other existing fields.

Personally, I have a DNA-centric notion of this field. I am focused on understanding how can DNA synthesis, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics create new vulnerabilities and new risk management strategies.

What are the risks and

Q opportunities in the

digitisation of DNA?

Keeping the digitisation of A personal genomics data aside, as this a different issue - in biotechnology, the main risk is that we don’t really understand the implications of this trend. As biologists, we still associate DNA with a natural molecule carrying the genetic information of living organisms. Its digital representation is just a convenience to help work with

the natural organisms. This is not unlike the early days of software when computer programs were bundled with computing hardware. You can think of digital DNA as software inspired by natural DNA, like computer programs are somewhat reminiscent of natural languages. This analogy with the evolution of software radically changes perspective. Digital DNA becomes man-made. It becomes the expression of an intent. It becomes more valuable than the biological samples that inspired it. That’s the opportunity.

What do you feel are the

Q key issues that biologists

should be aware of?

Biologists need to develop a

A culture of security in their labs.

Most of us are incredibly naive when we walk into our labs. Biological processes have a mind of their own. They tend to be more complicated, slower, and less reproducible than other fields of engineering. That reality gives biologists a high tolerance for anomalies. In this context, we tend to attribute anomalies to the complexity of biological processes. Without becoming paranoid, we need to learn to consider the possibility that our

processes behave in unexpected ways for other reasons than biological complexity. Human errors, accidents, software bugs, or people trying to hurt us can also compromise what we are trying to do in our labs.

What can be done

Q to create the best

possible strategy for the future?

Talking about the issue

A like we do in this

conversation is certainly a step in the right direction.

Denial is not a very strong security posture. By discussing these issues, we create an awareness that increases our security.

How can

Q people connect

and contribute to the existing work in this area?

They can reach out

A to me as we are

putting together a centre that will be a forum to exchange on these issues.

SHUTTERSTOCK

3 BIG THREATS

3 KEY ACTIONS

The exposure of every organisation is unique. So, it is difficult to generalise.

However, we can think of threats at the national level that would impact every life science organisation in one way or another.

A biosecurity incident 1 with national security implications would be catastrophic. If you remember the policy implications of the 2001 Anthrax incident, then it is not hard to imagine what the policy implications would be of a biosecurity incident with roots in emerging technologies to manipulate DNA. The industry as a whole could face a major public relations crisis that would dramatically change the perception of these new technologies. We could end up in a very different regulatory environment that would hinder the development of the bioeconomy.

2 Compromising manufacturing capacity.

Incidents affecting industrial infrastructures are likely expensive because of the scale of manufacturing operations.

In many scenarios recommissioning a compromised infrastructure may take months. This can have significant disruption on the availability of life-saving drugs for instance.

Loss of competitive 3 advantage and theft of intellectual property is also a source of concern. The biotechnology supply chain is getting more global. In many cases the choice of vendors and business partners is driven by short-term cost reduction without always considering the consequences of these choices on long-term competitiveness.

Acknowledge the evolving security landscape of the life sciences.

Analysing risks is not pleasant because nobody likes to discuss their vulnerabilities. However, the discomfort of risk analysis is nothing compared to managing the crisis of a security breach.

Education and 2 awareness throughout the organisation are essential.

Analysing the risk should not be the exclusive responsibility of the scientists working in the lab. This cannot happen without a strong mandate from the board of directors and executives. It is also important to involve nontechnical parts of the organisations like procurement, IT, and risk management.

Implementing a 3 security policy is often regarded as an annoyance that hinders productivity and negatively impacts an organisation’s profitability. It is therefore important to thoroughly understand the economics of the risks to prioritise risk management policies. Efforts should focus first on inexpensive policies that will positively impact the bottom line. It is essential to the sustainability of the effort.

1

Follow

@peccoud

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&

sustainability Fashion for Good is the global initiative that is here to make all fashion good.

W

e are a global platform for innovation, made possible through collaboration and community. With an open invitation to the entire apparel industry, Fashion for Good convenes brands, producers, retailers, suppliers, non-profit organisations, innovators and funders united in their shared ambition.

At the core of Fashion for Good is our innovation platform. Through our Fashion for Good-Plug and Play Accelerator, we work with one of the world’s largest technology accelerators to give promising startup innovators the funding and expertise they need in order to grow. Our Scaling Programme supports innovations that have passed the proofof-concept phase, with a dedicated team that offers bespoke support and access to expertise, customers and capital. Finally, our Good Fashion Fund (in development) will catalyse access to finance where this is required to shift at scale to more sustainable production methods.

Additionally, Fashion for Good acts as a convener for change. From its first hub in Amsterdam, it houses a Circular Apparel Community co-working space, creates open-source resources like its Good Fashion Guide, and welcomes visitors

to join a collective movement to make fashion a force for good.

Fashion for Good’s programmes are supported by Philanthropic Partner C&A Foundation and Corporate Partners C&A, Galeries Lafayette Group and Kering.

CALL-TO-ACTION FOR BIOTECHS Through Fashion for Good’s innovation platform, we support startups and companies with the potential to change the fashion industry for good, and we are particularly interested in the biotechnology sphere. If you are an entrepreneur with a relevant, replicable and scalable innovation, please visit fashionforgood.com to learn more about our work and apply for the Fashion for Good-Plug and Play Accelerator if you find there is a fit.

Colorifix solves the environmental problems associated with the production of pigments and their transfer to fabrics and garments.

We do this using synthetic biology, allowing engineered microorganisms to produce the pigments for us. Furthermore, the microorganisms are used to transfer and fix the pigments directly to the fabric, thereby improving dye transfer efficiency and reducing water and energy consumption accordingly. The net effect is a beautifully dyed fabric or garment but without the environmental damage associated with traditional dye production and transfer.

Dr David Nugent | Colorifix Limited | colorifix.com

Dr David Nugent, Colorifix & Emma Scarf, Fashion for Good, Amsterdam.

Image credit Rosa van Ederen

We live in a world of fast fashion and disposable clothing and most people think this is a disaster. They are working on recycling and circular fashion and want to change the behaviour of seven billion people. This represents an incredible opportunity.

We have an entire generation of people who now expect to own a garment for a year, maybe two, before disposing it and buying something new. With the right type of materials they can be custom-designed to meet that life cycle. MycoTEX is a 100% biodegradable material based on mycelium, the root of mushrooms. We have developed a technology and technique to create a sustainable fabric and made prototypes with this material and the 3D modelling process. MycoTEX is sustainably grown in a lab, so we don’t need expensive farmland or its seasonal influences.

We use less water and no chemicals or pesticides. MycoTEX offers a shorter supply chain, limits transport use and allows for an entirely new way of designing garments. After wearing you can simply bury your garment in the ground and it will decompose. Aniela Hoitink | NEFFA | neffa.nl

MycoTEX-diagonal

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How it works Everybody with an interest can suggest ideas on the HelloScience platform (helloscience.io). By posting ideas or solutions to a challenge, you gain access to a network of researchers and innovators to collaborate with.

Biotechs urged to tackle global challenges A new online network invites innovators, startups, companies and others to collaborate on solutions for some of the world’s greatest challenges. The first theme is water scarcity, and a call from UNICEF is among the first tasks. By Daniel Cardinali

T

he UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a roadmap for sustainable development, covering the social, economic and environmental challenges which face the world today. They are ambitious and important goals. From tackling the problem of clean drinking water to developing sustainable healthcare solutions for everyone, biotech has the potential to make a real impact. But where do we start? The SDGs are too complex to be solved by any one individual or organisation. The consensus is that we must collaborate to solve these challenges. We need Daniel Cardinali

collaboration to bring fresh ideas and new perspectives. Working with people from different disciplines leads to new ways of thinking, better solutions and faster progress.

HelloScience, an open innovation community created by Novozymes, aims to address exactly this. It provides an online network for researchers, entrepreneurs, NGOs, companies and startups to collaborate in tackling the SDGs together. The driving force is the ambition to transform our world for the better.

HelloScience is our attempt to find new and unlikely partnerships by empowering startups and researchers to develop their technologies and applications faster.

Everyone is welcome.

Novozymes will give enzyme and microorganism samples to the most promising ideas and will also provide access to industry and investment experts.

HelloScience defines different themes for collaboration. The first theme is water, inspired by the sixth SDG: clean water and sanitation.

Currently the platform has five challenges related to the theme: innovation for better filtering, reduction of sludge, recovery of phosphates in waste, an open challenge on clean water and a challenge from UNICEF to develop a device to aid in the detection of E. coli bacteria in water.

So far, six solutions posted on HelloScience are being developed through collaboration with Novozymes. One example is an innovative and sustainable way to reduce sludge. The solution consists of using enzymes to treat sludge waste. The byproducts are water and a solid biopellet, which can be used to generate energy.

The biopellet solution comes from an Argentinian biotech company, which specialises in biomining. Other examples of successful solutions come from a life science company in India, a nanotechnology startup from the Netherlands and a lecturer from the University of Queensland in Australia.

The challenges will run for a specific time, and new SDG themes will be added soon.

Please go to HelloScience.io and join us in solving some of the world’s greatest challenges.

Daniel Cardinali is Head of HelloScience at Novozymes

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Novozymes Novozymes is a Danish biotech company and the world’s largest maker of enzymes and microorganisms. The company sells its products to more than 40 different industries, where they replace chemicals and accelerate production processes.

Enzymes are widely used in laundry and dishwashing detergents where they remove stains and enable low-temperature washing and concentrated detergents. Other enzymes improve the quality of bread, beer and wine, or increase the nutritional value of animal feed. Enzymes are also used in the production of biofuels where they turn starch or cellulose from

biomass into sugars which can be fermented to ethanol.

Like enzymes, microorganisms have natural properties that can be used in industry.

Novozymes supplies microorganisms that can increase crop yields in agriculture, improve animal health and nutrition, and treat wastewater.

Novozymes was founded in 2000 in a demerger from pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.

Novozymes’ roots date back to the 1920s when Novo Terapeutisk Laboratorium and Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium were established in Copenhagen.

Enzyme production began in 1941.

Working with people from different disciplines leads to new ways of thinking, better solutions and faster progress.

Say Hello... to the HelloScience community on social media:



@HelloScienceIO



HelloScience

8 At the 2017 United Nations General Assembly, Dr. Data Santorino, CAMTech Uganda Country Manager, presents a demo of the Augmented Infant Resuscitator (AIR) device, which emerged from CAMTech’s first hackathon in 2012.

Randomised control trials demonstrated that the time needed to achieve effective ventilation was reduced in half when using the AIR device, and the duration of effective ventilation increased by more than 50%.

UN’s 2030 goals should spark a conversation

In January 2016, 193 world leaders at the United Nations implemented the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Innovators simulate an Ebola Treatment Unit during CAMTech’s 2014 Stop Ebola Hackathon.

The RESCUE Team won for its optimised Ebola Treatment Unit, which is mobile, scalable and integrates culturally sensitive infection control and training methods in rural settings.

By Nicholas Diamond

E

ach of the 17 SDGs outline strategies to end extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030. Building on the progress made by the Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs prioritise people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership to build a more sustainable world. The SDGs implicate all countries and all stakeholders and call upon industry leaders to address these initiatives.

Two years since the United Nations implemented the SDGs, the fourth annual Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBiolC) conference in Glasgow, which convenes over 400 biobased professionals, academics and students, is an opportunity to further these conversations. IBioIC’s mission is ‘to help businesses large and small increase the pace of innovation’. The biotech industry has the potential to make significant contributions to the SDGs through the use of innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable resources to advance population health.

Using a biotech approach to advance population health is crosscutting and aligns with nearly all 17 SDGs.

Similar to efforts made by the biotech industry, the Consortium for Affordable Medical Technologies (CAMTech), based at Massachusetts General Hospital Global Health, has focused its efforts on addressing the SDGs by creating shared value in global health. CAMTech identifies pressing clinical needs from the field, crowdsources innovative solutions and accelerates the cycle from idea to patient impact. Since 2012, CAMTech has leveraged its neutral broker status to convene a diverse and collaborative set of stakeholders with a goal of impactful innovation, bringing together over 4,370 innovators, 650 mentors and 730 organisations to design more than 830 innovations.

Using innovation to mitigate

infectious disease outbreaks and improve maternal and child health has proved impactful. CAMTech hackathons, 48-hour events in which a group of curated individuals from different backgrounds come together to drive innovation in healthcare, have allowed clinicians, public health professionals, engineers and entrepreneurs to act as first responders to infectious disease outbreaks like Ebola and Zika.

Several hackathons, bootcamps and innovation awards have also focused on improving maternal and child health and closing the gender gap in medtech.

During CAMTech’s 2014 Stop Ebola hackathon, innovators designed an Ebola Treatment Unit that integrates

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A team designs the Larvicide Automatic Dispenser at CAMTech’s 2016 Zika Innovation Hackathon. Each larvicide inhibits malaria, Zika, dengue and Chikungunya vectors from breeding on these large, still, potable water containers present in many households throughout affected regions.

By fostering innovations focused on infectious disease outbreaks and maternal and child health, the biotech industry could make significant strides in ending extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030. culturally sensitive infection control and training methods in rural settings.

Team ProxiMe innovated a voicecontrolled bracelet that monitors heart rate and temperature, as well as alerting healthcare workers of potential problems to enable more targeted responses given the long times taken for donning and doffing personal protective equipment.

At CAMTech’s 2016 Zika Innovation Hackathon, innovators created mosquito protective apparel, a surveillance technique for detecting Zika and dengue infections in mosquitos, a plastic strip that changes colour when in contact with saliva samples of the Zika and dengue viruses in patients, a mosquito trap and a larvicide dispenser. Each of these

innovations won funding and support through the CAMTech Accelerator Program to move from ideation to commercialisation and patient impact.

Based out of the CAMTech Uganda Co-Creation Lab, innovators designed EcoSmart Pads, which are sanitary pads made from locally available sugarcane fibre, which makes them commercially viable for women and girls from lowresource environments. Growing out of Uganda’s budding medtech ecosystem, EcoSmart Pads represents a product by women - for women, that harnesses affordable, locally-sourced materials and addresses local health challenges.

Applying CAMTech’s cocreation model, which assembles multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, public health professionals, engineers

and entrepreneurs, to biotech would accelerate the industry’s technology production. By fostering innovations focused on infectious disease outbreaks and maternal and child health, the biotech industry could also make significant strides in ending extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030. As thought leaders gather at IBiolC two years after implementing the SDGs, the conversation should address meeting the SDGs using both inclusionary medtech and participatory biotech.

Nicholas Diamond, MPH, is the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Consortium for Affordable Medical Technologies (CAMTech) at Massachusetts General Hospital Global Health.

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Why the bioeconomy needs women... who network

By Iris Aquilina Anderson

M

any of us are part of the bioeconomy without even realising it.

Beyond materials and biotech processes, this concept encompasses policies, financial instruments and business models. Its relevance spans industries as diverse as construction, fashion, pharmaceuticals and energy. It draws on diverse skill sets and prioritises sustainable development.

The bioeconomy is fuelled by disruptive innovation. At the heart of this is collaboration. The sharing of expertise, new perspectives and ideas.

At its best the bioeconomy facilitates economic, social and environmental benefit. By bringing together nature, science and technology new businesses can be formed. This has the additional

potential to create employment, reduce reliance on non-renewable resources and reinvigorate rural economies.

The role of women in the bioeconomy is crucial. New business models need high levels of engagement and sensitivity to sustainability and social issues – because they impact the environment and communities. The Bioladies Network was founded because this work needs to be taken forward holistically, requiring communication and understanding. The bioeconomy has unique challenges due to its multidisciplinary nature. Bringing a product to market is a journey and many try to make it alone. By building networks we can inspire and energise others through shared experiences.

For instance, Carmen Hijosa has

pioneered a sustainable alternative to leather, Pinatex, made from discarded parts of the pineapple plant. Through a combination of technical development alongside - and working with - local farmers she has realised a new value chain. Turning packaging on its head, Angela Morris of Woolcool, has grown her award-winning business to supply major pharmaceutical companies with wool-insulated packaging, ensuring safe transport of life-saving vaccines.

Integral to the success of these women has been the bringing together of different worlds – from agriculture, to biotechnology, to product design.

The Bioladies Network offers women working in the bioeconomy a valuable forum not only to expand professional contacts, but also an environment to

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Iris Aquilina Anderson, Founder of Bioladies Network

foster peer support and informal mentoring. This network is unique in that it aims to support women, in the UK, EU and internationally, in an emerging area of the economy that is still considered niche, despite the potential. Women from diverse sectors are welcome to join the network.

Professionals from academia, public sector, NGOs, R&D, outreach and consultancy are amongst those who are members. Industries represented include agriculture, food, construction, packaging and biopesticides.

Connecting people is impactful. Being a member of the network allows you to make new contacts regularly, get key information about industry trends and keep informed about potential career opportunities. The Network organises

The bioeconomy is fuelled by disruptive innovation. At the heart of this is collaboration. themed events, open to everyone where other members or external speakers share insights and stimulate discussion. Topics can range from the personal to the global: whether it is a frank discussion of the challenges associated with entrepreneurship in the bioeconomy, or a debate on incentives for renewable energy.

Women in the Bioladies Network participate to build relationships they can benefit from both personally and professionally. They are aware that business networking is not just about

business, it’s about life. The ‘give-andthen-take’ style of networking builds long-lasting relationships and in some cases, long-term friendships. Members can meet other women who have gone through a similar learning curve in their career, projects or personal lives. The Network offers a constructive space, where advice can be shared, and interactions can spark new ways of thinking. As the bioeconomy grows, the connections established in networks such as these will be ever more vital.

The world can only be a better place when women inspire and support each other and help build a strong global bioeconomy. If you are interested in joining the network, please email: bioladies@ perfectsymbiosis.co.uk

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Make money and save the world

The market provides significant financial rewards to those who take the risk of pushing the leading edge. Nowhere are the opportunities for innovation greater than in the good food arena.

By Bruce Friedrich, Executive Director, The Good Food Institute Bruce Friedrich

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IMAGE CREDIT: ERIC DAY

A

t their best, innovators improve humanity’s fortunes while expanding our horizons. The market provides significant financial rewards to those who take the risk of pushing the leading edge. Nowhere are the opportunities for innovation greater than in the good food arena.

The way we currently produce meat, eggs, and dairy is at the heart of the most pressing global issues of our time.

For example, scientists at the United Nations have determined that raising animals for food is ‘one of the major causes of the world’s most pressing environmental problems, including global warming, land degradation, Popcorn air and water pollution, and Shrimp loss of biodiversity’. According to these experts, animal agriculture is responsible for more climate change than every plane, train, and automobile combined.

Every year, contaminated animal products sicken tens of millions of Americans, hospitalising tens of thousands, and killing more than a thousand. An even greater threat is antibiotic resistance. Again, this is driven by industrial animal agriculture, as roughly 80% of antibiotics produced in the United States are fed to farm animals. This flood of antibiotics drives the evolution of deadly superbugs.

And, of course, factory farms and industrial slaughterhouses cause thinking, feeling individuals to suffer horribly.

All of that would be nothing more than a sad commentary, though, if not for this: modern animal agriculture is shockingly inefficient. This should really grab the attention of anyone looking for a huge market ripe for transformation through innovation. The biology is simple: when we feed crops to an animal, she burns off the vast majority just staying alive. Chickens are the most efficient, and yet 900 calories of feed are required to create 100 calories

of chicken meat. Other animals are even worse. In short, feeding animals is an extraordinarily inefficient way of creating meat.

So we can set aside environmental, health, and cruelty concerns and still see an overwhelmingly compelling opportunity. A potential order-ofmagnitude increase in efficiency should have every innovator drooling at the prospect of undercutting and replacing the current system with one that is better across the board.

We know plant-based and clean meat (real meat grown outside an animal) can and will be vastly superior to animal-based meat in terms of environmental degradation, impact on human health, alleviating global poverty, and humane treatment of animals. Given the inherent inefficiency of using farm animals to convert crops into meat, once they are produced at scale, plant-based and clean meat will also undercut animal-based meat in cost.

Once that happens, the meat industry will be utterly transformed.

The world’s most visionary innovators are already jumping on board. Bill Gates called Beyond Meat ‘the future of food’, and put his money where his mouth is. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt declared that plant-based meat will improve life for humankind at least tenfold in the near future by mitigating climate change and global hunger.

Asia’s richest man, Li Ka-shing has invested heavily in Impossible Foods, Hampton Creek, Perfect Day, and other plant-based and clean startups. Google founder Sergey Brin funded the first clean burger. Google itself tried to buy plant-based pioneer Impossible Foods for $300 million before Impossible even had a commercial product.

Signs from Big Food have also been encouraging. In 2017 alone, there was a marked acceleration in the trend of established companies recognising the

growing importance of plant-based meat.

In addition to huge investments in plant-based and clean meat startups by venture capital kingmakers like Bill and Melinda Gates, Google Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, and DFJ, the meat industry itself now sees the writing on the wall.

Tyson, the largest meat producer in the US, has invested in Silicon Valley darling Beyond Meat, and the massive meat conglomerate Cargill has invested in clean meat pioneer Memphis Meats.

We’ve seen this dynamic pay major dividends in the past. It was Dean Food’s purchase and subsequent promotion of Silk that moved plant-based milk to the mainstream. Now, plant-based milk has almost 10% share of the market, while plant-based meat is only about a quarter of one percent.

Mark Zuckerberg grew Facebook into a global juggernaut with the motto: ‘move fast and break things’. There has never been an industry more in need of being ‘broken’ and rebuilt than modern industrial animal agriculture.

Its nearly unfathomable size – hundreds of billions of dollars – and gross inefficiencies make it a prime target for lucrative transformation through innovation. Are you an entrepreneur, inventor, scientist, engineer, or investor looking to hit it big while helping to save the world? Then you should get into the plant-based and clean meat fields as soon as possible.

Get in touch...

The Good Food Institute is a nonprofit organisation that promotes alternatives to industrial animal agriculture.

Check out the resources section of gfi.org to learn more.

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Biotech for chemistry: featuring the best of both worlds

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In the laboratory and analytical techniques exhibition group you will find not only the furniture for your lab, but also the equipment to look into the last atom of your acid.

The engineering exhibition group is especially interesting for all those who take the step from pilot scale to full-size.

If you are planning an industrial succinic acid plant, this group offers anything from 3D simulation software to service providers where you can commission a turn-key factory.

Fancy a separator for biomass or a distillation unit to purify the succinic acid? The thermal and mechanical processes group is where to look. And of course you won‘t be left alone in your search for techniques and equipment to process the acid into the polymer of your choice.

To make it easier to identify the unsung heroes of bioeconomy among the nearly 3,800 exhibitors, these companies will be marked with their very own pictogram. Look out for the icon on the website, in the printed programme and on-site on the aisle floors. Whenever you step on a floor graph you are standing right in front of the stand of a company offering products or services related to the focal topic ‘biotech for chemistry’.

Trade show plus congress Other than the leading trade show for the process industries, ACHEMA is also a major congress. Choose between more than 600 presentations ranging from biorefineries, reaction technology, energy supply and analytics to process design.

Engineering

Laboratory and analytical techniques

Mechanical processes

Research and innovation

Thermal processes



% in 2020, 30% in 2030 – the goals for the biobased share in the European chemical industry are anything if not ambitious.

They will not be achieved by some highvalue active ingredients here and some specialties there; if they are to become true, it will mean a fundamental change in the industry.

Detergents, lubricants, plastics are the case studies that aim at highvolume, mid- or even low-price biobased products. A biobased chemical industry is inconceivable without biotechnological processes that are much more efficient in making complex natural molecular structures accessible.

But bio-economy and biotechnology reach well beyond the obvious. If you think about biotech companies, what are the brands that come to mind? Have you included any of the large ‘traditional’ chemical companies? You should, because biotechnology has arrived in the chemical industry, there‘s no doubt about that. Biotechnological processes complement chemical conversions, and biobased resources are chosen not only for sustainability reasons, but also for their superior performance.

Succinic acid for example is only one of many products where microbial production is about to replace chemical synthesis and no one wants to look back. ACHEMA is the trade show where both worlds meet.

Like a common thread the focal topic ‘biotech for chemistry’ runs through all of the eleven exhibitions groups: Research and innovation hosts companies and institutions presenting brand new findings about how to harness even more microbes for chemistry. Are bacteria still the way to go for succinic acid or do yeasts offer more effective pathways?

Save the date:

Keep an eye out for this icon

11-15 June 2 018 www.achema .de #BioForChem

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biotechnology has arrived in the chemical industry, there‘s no doubt about that.

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What’s trending?

Innovators Magazine asked some leading biotechnology influencers what’s going on in their markets...

Brent Erickson

Roger Kilburn

Martin Tangney

Kathrin Rübberdt

Speaking about the industry in America, the Executive Vice President, Industrial & Environmental, at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, told us:

The CEO of the Glasgowheadquartered Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), expects the domestic market in Scotland to capitalise on the country’s abundance of natural assets.

Founder and CEO of Edinburgh’s Celtic Renewables, who was recently awarded an Honorary OBE for services to engineering and energy, is looking for more good news this year.

DECHEMA’s Head of Biotechnology in Frankfurt is confident there will be some major developments in industrial biotechnology in the near future.

In 2018, the United States’ leadership position in the commercialisation and market introduction of industrial biotech products will be challenged by Europe and Asia. As industrial biotechnology has diversified into highvalue consumer products, specialty ingredients such as flavours and fragrances, and nutritional ingredients, countries have begun to aggressively lure the industry to capitalise on the economic and technological growth potential.”

In Scotland we will be looking to leverage the significant and unique natural, physical and human assets we have to focus on the most attractive opportunities for developing IB. This will include marine biotech, carbon capture and utilisation technologies and valorisation of our municipal and industrial waste streams.”

I sincerely hope that the big thing for 2018 will be Celtic Renewables, but as for trends; I feel that far too often, direction and focus gives way to the topical - and so I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a load of plastics projects suddenly come to the fore in the UK this year.“

Biotechnology has already become an integral part of pharmaceutical production and is currently merging with conventional chemical processes.

Combining the best of two worlds, especially fine chemicals and complex molecules can be produced a lot more efficiently and sustainably than before.

In order to achieve this, a couple of challenges need to be tackled: reaction conditions need to be adapted to allow for a seamless integration of different steps. This is especially true for reaction media – biotechnological

processes often take place in highly diluted aqueous solutions – a chemist’s nightmare and a big issue in downstream processing where efficiency gains in the reaction are often offset by the efforts required to isolate the product. A key to better synthetic pathways are robust production organisms.

New developments in biotechnology research such as synthetic biology or novel genome editing techniques open up a whole new horizon of opportunities including tailor-made production systems with customised synthetic pathways and high tolerance for (by-)products. We expect to see a lot of progress in industrial biotechnology in the near future based on today’s groundbreaking lab research.”

Official publisher of ACHEMA 2018 ‘Biotech for Chemistry’ edition

Book your coverage online at innovatorsmag.com/achema-2018 ACHEMA: World Forum and Leading Show for the Process Industries 11 - 15 June 2018 | Frankfurt am Main, Germany | achema.de

18

A process demonstration facility

A semi-industrial scale photobioreactor

Q&A

19

with Adeel Aslam, Head of Consulting Bouygues Energies & Services is increasingly the partner of choice for biotechnology stakeholders. We spoke to Adeel Aslam, Head of Consulting, to find out why.

Q

How does Bouygues Energies & Services support industrial biotechnology projects?

Bouygues Energies & Services supports industrial

A biotechnology projects by working with our clients

around early stage business engagement and strategic business consulting. By understanding client and investors’ needs, objectives and expectations from an early stage, we are able to provide sustainable scale-up strategies which are supported by our in-house, design and build solution capabilities for pilot plant, demonstrator and full scale manufacturing facilities.

With our unique approach, we can develop solutions from an early feasibility stage. This streamlines the assessment and selection of suitable technologies for the process; both existing and emerging. During the further design development, we maintain a key focus on lean manufacturing and asset lifecycle modelling, whilst considering future business needs. The result is investment programmes which deliver the highest return on investment from day one.

How would you kick-start a new project Q using a FEED study approach?

Before kick-starting a new project, we need to clearly

A understand the client’s / investors’ objectives, targets

and expectations. By working in this way we are able to offer a bespoke solution to fit their requirements. We do not believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach. All of our FEED studies are tailored specifically for our client’s needs to ensure that the project critical success factors are delivered. Whether or not a project brief exists, the studies are aimed at reviewing, questioning and implementing all the project / design requirements in a structured format.

To understand our client and deliver their expectations, Bouygues Energies & Services build the FEED study around a set of client / design team interactive data gathering workshops. During these workshops, all key project stakeholders are presented and given the opportunity for critical input into the development and understanding of project requirements.

Workshops are aligned to suit the type of project being undertaken but will normally begin with a Process / Architectural review where the project brief will be developed and the main facility process flows will be drawn out from first principles.

Adeel Aslam

What are the key benefits of engaging with

Q Bouygues Energies & Services in this way?

When we are engaged from the early stage of a project’s

A development, we can help transform our client’s science

and ideas into commercial reality. We do so in an accelerated and collaborative manner, whilst de-risking technology investments. This is supported by our unique consultancy “in-house” offer and approach, with single point accountability.

We are involved in a wide range of sectors, so we are able to interchange ideas and innovations. In a highly collaborative way, we share, transfer and connect knowledge utilising open innovation models.

How do you keep your methods agile and

Q innovative in a changing landscape?

We regularly review our offer / approach and

A complement it with the latest tools and technologies.

We utilise the latest design software and also introduce technologies that can enhance our customers’ experience.

We also have an approach of continuous learning and open innovation; we keep informed of changing regulatory and statutory requirements by regularly attending a wide range of forums and play an active role in a number of industry networks.

We strive to keep up-to-date with the ever changing landscape of industrial processes and technologies by continuing to build strong relationship with our key value chain partners.

How can biotechnology companies and organisations connect with you?

We can be contacted via our website www.bouygues-es.co.uk/contact or by email contracting@bouygues-es.co.uk. Alternatively, visit our blog - our-blog.bouygues-es.co.uk or connect with us on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/68332

Join the

N EW

Be on top and revolutionary

www.infors-

Shakers | Bioreactors | Bioprocess Platform Software www.infors-ht.com

of things. y Bioprocess Platform Software.

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WE BRING LIFE TO YOUR LABORATORY.

22

‘From concept to commercial reality’ The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) has recently welcomed its 100th member, in what marks a significant step towards the growth of the UK biotechnology market.

I

t is estimated that by 2025, the UK industrial biotechnology (IB) market will be worth up to £12 billion and with the current rate of innovation and growth; it is easy to see how. Industrial biotechnology is changing the world, transitioning products and processes from being petro chemical-based to bio-based.

Everything we use in our daily lives can be reimagined using IB processes so that we are more sustainable, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and waste generation. Examples from IBioIC’s membership include: Prawn shells being used to make environmentally-friendly and antimicrobial cling film Timber residues used to make natural food flavourings, including vanilla Methane, a natural gas, converted into high quality protein animal feed Waste bread and potato starch used in medicine manufacturing By-products from whisky manufacturing used to make fuel, feed and even nanoparticles for electronics Genetically modified mosquitoes used to battle Zika virus, Dengue fever and Malaria.

Some of the UK’s best untapped resources for IB are carbon dioxide, agricultural wastes, municipal waste

- heading to the landfill, seaweed and timber waste. It is because of these feedstocks and the high-level of academic expertise that the UK, and in particular Scotland, is attracting investment from around the world.

Industrial biotechnology may be a little-known industry, but there is clear impact for companies of all sizes. IBioIC’s membership includes 14 startups and spin-outs, 42 SMEs and 17 multi-national corporations, as well as government departments and other business consultancies. In keeping with the multi-disciplinary nature of IB, the members include IB expertise from a wide range of industries, from food to pharma to materials. IBioIC supports its members by helping their ideas develop from concept to commercial reality.

100th member – Oxford Biotrans: making natural scents and flavourings from IB IBioIC recently welcomed Oxford Biotrans as its 100th member to join the likes of GSK, Scottish Water and Ingenza. Oxford Biotrans is a University of Oxford spin-out company supported by over 20 years of

research by Dr Luet Lok Wong from the Department of Chemistry. Founded in 2013, the company is working to develop and commercialise enzymatic process technology to yield high-value chemicals from natural sources. Their procedures are environmentally friendly - producing less chemical waste and using less energy than traditional methods.

Their first product, natural-grade nootkatone, is a sesquiterpene, which is the flavour and scent of grapefruit and is used in food, beverage and cosmetic applications (including enhancing in non-citrus flavours). Natural-grade nootkatone is traditionally an expensive ingredient and large quantities of grapefruit are needed to extract commercial amounts of nootkatone – 400,000 kg of grapefruit is needed to produce just 1kg of nootkatone. A synthetic nootkatone can be produced through chemical processes, but this requires high temperatures, heavy metals and peroxides, and cannot be classed as natural in the EU. Oxford Biotrans has developed a process to convert natural valencene; a citrus extract readily obtained from oranges, into natural-grade nootkatone, and is now offering an attractive, secure and environmentally-friendly supply of this in-demand compound. The company has just raised £2.1 million from investment activities, which will enable them to accelerate market entry of further products in the pipeline, building on the performance and capabilities of their innovative platform technology.

Oxford Biotrans has used the support of IBioIC to develop collaborative networks, secure project partners and grant funding and access academic support, hosting an IBioIC PhD student in the organisation. They will also use IBioIC’s scale-up facilities in future to test new ideas and processes for commercialisation.

BREAD

sugar from bread can be used in the production of medicine

FATBERGS

waste fat in drains can be purified and used to make biodiesel

VANILLA ESSENCE

timber residues used to make natural food flavourings such a vanilla

WHISKY

23

bi-products from whisky production can be used to create fuel, animal feed and even nanoparticles for electronics

SEAWEED

TOMATOES

can be used as food, dietary supplements, health supplements like spirulina and low-cost fertiliser

used to create biopigments for colouring cosmetics and pharmaceuticals

FISH FOOD

can be made using waste proteins, such as whisky bi-products, algae and plant extracts

SMART METER

surplus energy being used to grow algae crops in rural Scotalnd

FOOD PACKAGING made from waste prawn shells

WHERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE UK?

Carbon Dioxide

Seaweed

Municipal Waste

Agricultural Wastes

Timber Waste

IMPORTANT STATISTICS We are specialists in the industrial biotechnology (IB) sector, designed to stimulate the growth and success of the IB industry in Scotland by connecting the dots between industry, academia and government.

We facilitate collaborations and guide organisations from a concept or idea, through to industry adoption.

100 members including 9 start-ups, 42 SMEs, 17 multi-national giants, 5 university spin-outs, 3 new companies created with the support of IBioIC

74

members in total in UK – 45 of these are in Scotland

7

members in United States

13

members in Europe

6

rest of the world

IB spans many different sectors…

29 20 12 10 8 8 8 5

IN LIFE SCIENCES

IN CHEMICAL SCIENCES IN INSTRUMENTATION & MEASUREMENT IN ENGINEERING

IN MATERIALS SCIENCE IN FOOD & DRINK IN WASTE

IN ENERGY

24

Call for collaboration The importance of skills and learning can never be underplayed. Rachel Moir, Skills Programme Manager gives an overview of IBioIC’s work in this area.

Q

Can you give an overview of IBioIC’s skills strategy?

In order to make the most of the

A potential that Scotland has to

grow the IB sector, we need to ensure that we have students and employees with the right skills in place at the right time. IBioIC has consulted with industry and relevant public skills organisations to develop a comprehensive skills programme which aims to address identified skills gaps. IBioIC’s skills programme includes: Delivery of an MSc in Industrial biotechnology, awarded through the University of Strathclyde. We are now on our fourth year with over 100 students having gone through the programme.

Funding and management of PhDs in Industrial Biotechnology as part of the IBioIC CTP training scheme.

We currently have 44 PhDs on our programme with students receiving additional training from industry and in commercial skills.

Work to develop, launch and support an HND Industrial Biotechnology.

The course is now up and running at Glasgow Clyde College with 15 students enrolled.

Delivery of CPD and bespoke inhouse training.

Can you give some more

Q details about the MSc placement programme?

An integral part of the MSc in

A Industrial Biotechnology is the

industry placement. All students who are successful in completing the taught aspects of the course in semester one and two will undertake a 10 week

A significant number of our students go on to be recruited by their industrial host following graduation. (minimum) project placement with one of IBioICs industrial partners. Prior to project allocation, the students will receive training in areas such as interview technique and CV writing with projects allocated by IBioIC and the industry partners following a short competitive recruitment process. At the end of the placement, the student will be required to submit a final thesis based on their project which will be assessed and contribute towards the award of the MSc. During the placement the student will be managed by an Industrial Supervisor from within the company, with an Academic Supervisor at University of Strathclyde providing support with thesis submission. A significant number of our students go on to be recruited by their industrial host following graduation.

What sort of business

Q partners are you looking to work with on this?

We are looking to work with any

A company working in industrial

biotechnology that can host a student on their premises and provide a suitable IB related project. They can be startups, SMEs or large companies. The placements are required to start in mid May 2018 and are to be a minimum of 10 weeks long with a thesis submission expected within a few weeks of completion. For a standard industrial placement, payment to the MSc student is on a voluntary basis. For any placement exceeding 10 weeks, we would normally expect some sort of payment to be offered to the MSc student, this is open to negotiation. The

25

company is expected to cover all reasonable expenses relating to any work being undertaken on the premises during the placement. The role of the Industrial Supervisor within the company, as outlined above, will be as follows: Provide a brief outline to the project identifying key techniques to be used.

Meet with the student to discuss the subject of the project and to provide key references.

Help the student to identify specific objectives of the project and formulate a hypothesis to be tested.

Provide or arrange training in relevant techniques (training may be given by PhD students, technicians or research staff as appropriate).

Ensure that students are aware of, and sign the relevant safety information including COSHH and Risk Assessment Forms, and Standard Operating Procedures for equipment and facilities.

Monitor satisfactory attendance and performance of their students.

Meet with the student on a formal basis to discuss progress at least every two weeks throughout the ten-week experimental part of the project (May to July 2018) Complete an assessment form for the laboratory performance of the student (30% of the mark for the thesis). Guidance and training can be provided if necessary.

Q

How can businesses get involved?

If companies wish to engage with

A us on this programme, they

should get in touch on the contact details below in the first instance for more information. They will Rachel Moir, then be asked to complete a Skills Programme Manager project outline form to assist the recruitment process.

“We find having new people in the lab is always positive, getting access to expertise and knowledge and finding out different perspectives to research problems. The results that the MSc students have provided have been very useful for our business.”

Cellucomp, IBioIC Industrial Partner

Our MSc students need you!

Can your company offer an interesting work placement between May - July 2018 to our cohort of MSc students?

If so, we’d love to hear from you.

“It’s with thanks to the industrial placement opportunity that the MSc course provided, that I gained a lot of invaluable experience working within the sector and as such, has now resulted in me taking up full time employment within an exciting IB company.”

Scott Hope, IBioIC MSc student 2016-17

The benefits to you: •

Access free of charge, the energy and enthusiasm of a young, motivated MSc student looking to learn about your company

•

Undertake that investigative piece of work that’s still waiting to get started using the students knowledge, skills & experience

•

Motivate employees by involving them in the industrial placement to act in a management role

•

Identify potential future hires and help to support a pipeline of talent for the IB industry

To find out more, contact our Skills Team on 0141 574 5376 or email: skills@ibioic.com

26

Meet the people behind the projects

IBioIC’s project portfolio sees many exciting projects taking place across a number of its partnering higher education institutions (HEIs) and industry members. Much of this work is carried out by Post-Doctoral Research Associates (PDRAs) based within universities. Here’s the lowdown on the people behind the projects, their work, and ambitions for the future.

Refaat Hamed

IBioIC Project: Maximising the Metabolic Efficiency of Cellular Methacrylate Production Partners: Lucite, Ingenza and the University of St Andrews

Refaat undertook his BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences and his MSc in Natural Product Chemistry at Assiut University in Egypt, before completing his PhD in Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology at the University of Oxford. He is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Natural Products at the Assiut University and is currently on sabbatical. Refaat is an experienced researcher having previously held a number of PDRA positions at Assiut University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Oxford, where he was a Research Fellow in

Organic Chemistry and Synthetic Biology. His main interests include biocatalysis, biosensors, synthetic biology, high value pharmaceuticals and enzymology.

Currently, Refaat’s work as a PDRA at St Andrews University is centred on an industry-led IBioIC Accelerator Project which aims to maximise the metabolic efficiency of cellular methacrylate production, in partnership with Lucite and Ingenza. Refaat took up the position in order to expand his knowledge and learn different approaches. He aims to maintain good relations with the industrial partners and is in regular contact to update them on techniques and recent activities. He is also conscious of the pressures on industrialists and works with them to achieve their goals. Although the current project takes up much of his time, he is also involved in supervising and training students within the university.

Refaat sees his future leading an academic group and is interested in setting up or becoming a co-founder of a spin-out company. He enjoys teaching and has applied novel techniques in the classroom which improved communication and time efficiency.

27

Natasha Sienkiewicz IBioIC Project: New Bioinspired 3D Nanoplatforms for Green Biocatalysis Partners: Cellucomp and James Hutton Institute

Natasha’s area of expertise is wide ranging from molecular microbiology to protein biochemistry and she has an extensive experience of both academic and industrial based research. This experience includes research into infectious diseases as part of the drug discovery pipeline and working within an SME environment to develop novel magnetic protein nanoparticles as diagnostic tools for the IVD point of care market. She has also worked as a lab manager

Walid El Bestawy IBioIC Project: Cellular Methacrylate Transporter Partners: Ingenza and the University of Strathclyde

Walid undertook his MSc in Clinical Pharmacology and his PhD in DNA Regulation at the University of Strathclyde. He previously worked as a research assistant at the University of Glasgow, where he was involved in breast cancer research. His main area of interest is in molecular biology.

Walid currently works as a PDRA at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University

Annie Cheung

IBioIC Core Project: Waste to Fermentable Sugar Partners: Ingenza, GSK and Edinburgh Napier University

Annie gained her MSc and PhD in Brewing Sciences and Yeasts at the University of Nottingham. Her main research interests include fermentation processes, beer brewing, whisky distilling and biofuel production. She is an experienced post-doctoral research associate and has previously held positions focusing on research for a brewing and beverage company, as well as investigations on biofuel within the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department at the University of Sheffield.

for a CRO, where she was responsible for mentoring and managing projects as well as customer engagement from initial securing of contract to final delivery of the product.

Natasha currently works at the James Hutton Institute as a postdoctoral research associate, where she is focused on the delivery of an IBioIC Accelerator Project in collaboration with Cellucomp. The project aims to develop a novel and green biocatalyst system with enhanced enzymatic activity and stability.

Natasha enjoys challenging, lab-based work which involves problem solving and innovative approaches and looks to continue a scientific career as a problem solver, while learning new techniques and expanding her knowledge. In the future, Natasha is happy to consider roles either in industry or academia and prioritises the opportunity to produce innovative solutions.

of Strathclyde. His main efforts are focused on the Cellular Methacrylate Transporter project in partnership with IBioIC’s Leading Member, Ingenza and funded through the Accelerator Programme. Walid was initially attracted to this industrial project as he had previous experience in the area.

He has built strong relationships with colleagues within the company and is a keen contributor to other commercially focused projects. Within Strathclyde, he enjoys and is involved in the supervision of undergraduate and masters students in the lab and he is actively engaged in other research projects at SIPBS. Walid’s plans for the future focus on continuing to work in a lab environment either in academia or industry. He particularly enjoys being part of large collaborative projects and likes to feel that his work is of benefit.

Annie currently works on the IBioIC Core Project as a PDRA at Edinburgh Napier University, partnering directly with IBioIC leading member Ingenza. The project investigates the production of a range of chemicals from waste sugar sources using innovative bioprocesses. Annie is responsible for delivering the core practical work on the project, reporting and liaising with the company to ensure a smooth flow of work.

Annie took on the IBioIC PDRA role as she was keen to make a contribution to industry and to further her interest in fermentation. She particularly enjoys undertaking practical work on projects with a real-world outcome and has enjoyed developing her skills in HPLC and GC. In the future, she hopes to continue to work in research in the fermentation field. However, she remains open to other areas of expertise and is keen to continue to learn new techniques and further develop her skill set.

28

BIO World Congress 2017

BIO World Congress returns to Philadelphia

By Paul Winters

T

he 15th annual BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology, hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), will be held 16-19 July 2018 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is a hub of innovation and an ideal location for BIO events; the BIO World Congress was last held in Philadelphia in 2014. The tri-state region of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey ranks as one of the top US markets for biotechnology and is home to a number of startup biotech companies.

The BIO World Congress continues to prove itself as the largest international event for industrial biotechnology.

The 2018 conference promises to present new opportunities to make global connections through business partnering, education and networking.

In 2017, more than a quarter of the nearly 1,000 attendees were c-level executives, representing 535 companies from around the globe. There were 32 countries represented at the event, with the largest delegations coming from the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, France and Germany.

BIO’s One-on-One Partnering ™ system is a truly unique and exclusive feature of BIO conferences. The online system

allows attendees to create a profile and manage meeting requests or search for other companies to invite to partnering discussions. BIO handles the scheduling and logistics for all requested 30-minute partnering meetings during the conference. Companies can continue to use the online system during and after the conference to communicate with potential partners and manage business development activities.

The BIO One-on-One Partnering™ system is available to all BIO World Congress attendees. In 2017, the BIO World Congress hosted 2,130 partnering meetings over the course of three days, achieving a 10% increase from the number of meetings completed in 2016.

We expect these numbers to continue to grow in 2018 in Philadelphia.

The BIO World Congress helps attendees keep up-to-date on industry trends and issues through three days of robust education programming across multiple venues, including panel sessions, technical presentations, GreenTech Investor Sessions and posters. Attendees will learn about cutting-edge industry developments in algae production, renewable chemicals, synthetic biology, gene editing, advanced biofuels, food ingredients, flavours and fragrances,

and crop technologies. In 2017, the BIO World Congress hosted 277 presenting speakers in 42 panel sessions.

New this year, the BIO World Congress is inviting proposals for company and technical presentations, which are short, detailed presentations by a senior level executive or academic to showcase technology development or partnership opportunities. These company and technical presentations are the perfect way to increase visibility for your work in industrial biotechnology and attract more business partners at the BIO World Congress. Academic and industry researchers will also have an opportunity to present posters detailing their research or discoveries during one of the BIO World Congress receptions.

BIO’s GreenTech Investor Sessions provide high visibility opportunities for executives from emerging industrial biotechnology companies to present in front of venture capital investors, analysts and business strategists. The deadline for submitting proposals for company and technical presentations, GreenTech Investor Sessions, or poster presentations is May 14, 2018.

Companies attending the BIO World Congress will also have the opportunity to showcase their brand in front of new business and industry contacts through networking events, receptions and the exhibition. The BIO World Congress exhibit hall is a central point for business partnering, networking receptions and visibility for conference sponsors.

The 15th annual BIO World Congress coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. In June 1993, two smaller trade groups – the Industrial Biotechnology Association (IBA) and the Association of Biotechnology Companies (ABC) – merged to form BIO. Over the past quarter-century, BIO’s policy advocacy and business partnering support have helped biotech companies build a diverse and thriving industry.

Throughout 2018, BIO will be celebrating the policy and innovation milestones that have helped the United States become the world’s strongest biotech market. The BIO World Congress will showcase the industrial biotech sector’s continued growth and diversification.

Paul Winters is Director, Broadcast and Media Services, at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

July 16-19, 2018 • Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA Join us for 3 days filled with top-notch programming, partnering, and networking next July 16-19, 2018 in Philadelphia for the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology!

The BIO World Congress provides a unique forum for business executives, government officials, academic researchers and industry leaders to share the latest advances in:

RENEWABLE CHEMICALS & BIOBASED PRODUCTS

AGRICULTURAL CROP TECHNOLOGIES & BIOMASS SUPPLY

GROWING GLOBAL BIOBASED MARKETS

ADVANCED BIOFUELS & BIOREFINERY PLATFORMS

ALGAE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES (NEW!)

SPECIALTY FOOD INGREDIENTS, FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES

SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY & GENE EDITING

Visit bio.org/worldcongress for important information on call for session proposals, registration and sponsorship.