14/11/2011

On November 11 took place the UABCEI Biomedical Innovation Forum in the Auditorium of the Hospital of Sabadell (University Park Taulí Health Corporation), with the participation of Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). The purpose of this forum was to understand the successful processes of innovation applied to the biomedical sector around the UAB, discuss the opportunity for innovation in this area and reflect on the role of this process in the economic recovery and job creation in the territory. The session was opened by the Rector of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Ana Ripoll, the mayor of Sabadell, Manuel Bustos, president of the College of Doctors of Barcelona, Dr. Miquel Vilardell, President of the Governing Council of the Sanitary Corporation Parc Taulí, Pere Fonolleda, and UABCEI Biocluster coordinator, Dr. Lluís Torcido. Angel Lanuza, coordinator of the Spanish Platform for Innovation in Health Technology, gave the lecture "Innovation in health technology, vector of economic growth."It was followed by a first presentation of the cases of innovation introduced by the Vice Chancellor for Research at UAB, Dr. Manel Lopez Bejar, and the director of the Research Institute of the Foundation University Institute Parc Taulí UAB, Dr. Lluís Blanch. By VHIR, the innovation coordinator, Raquel Egea, presented three case studies. A first case of entrepreneur from TRANSBIOMED example, the first spin off of VHIR, a second case based on a co-development experience that led to a patent on co-ownership with a company, and a third case from the license of a patent with which VHIR has successfully increased its value because it will be present in the process of technology development by the company with the resulting royalties.Following the presentations there was a panel discussion on the importance of innovation in the biomedical sector, with the participation of the responsible for Research from Health Department at the Catalonian Government, Marta Aymerich, BIOCAT general director, Dr. Montserrat Vendrell, and director of the Health Institute Carlos III, Dr. José Jerónimo Navas Palacios, moderated by the director of the UAB Research Park Foundation, Dr. Jordi Marquet, and the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Projects and Planning at UAB, Dr. Carlos Jaime. The Director General of Research from the Department of Economics and Knowledge of the Catalonian Government, Dr. Josep Maria Martorell, closed the session.