The first edition of the SCION Spin-Off Forum took place on 23 September in the “Prof. Marin Drinov” Hall of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The forum brought together scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and representatives of institutions to discuss how scientific research can be put into practical application and reach the market.
The event was opened by SCION co-founder Ms. Sasha Bezuhanova and Prof. Ina Aneva, Scientific Secretary of BAS. In her welcome address, Prof. Aneva emphasised that the Academy employed researchers of exceptional calibre whose achievements received international recognition and reinforced the standing of Bulgarian science. She pointed out that BAS scientists were developing promising technologies and innovative solutions capable of addressing important social and economic challenges but that the path from scientific discovery to its practical application was long and complex. She noted that for scientific achievements to find practical application, targeted institutional support, protection of intellectual property, sustainable funding, entrepreneurial culture and reliable partnerships were required. Prof. Aneva called for a concerted effort to ensure that the Academy’s scientific potential was fully realised and that the results of its researchers’ work reached society, industry and international markets with greater confidence.
The programme traced the journey of a scientific idea from the laboratory to the creation of a company: recognising its potential, protecting intellectual property, choosing between a patent, licensing and a spin-off, as well as the opportunities for public and private funding.
A special panel presented scientific developments of BAS with a high level of technological readiness. Assoc. Prof. Dr Andrey Marchev from the “Stephan Angeloff” Institute of Microbiology – BAS presented plant cell cultures as a platform for producing bioactive substances. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Denis Chikurtev, Eng., from the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies – BAS, presented the development of a smart system for charging electric vehicles using energy from renewable sources. Sen. Asst. Prof. Dr. Todor Branzov from the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics – BAS presented the potential for improving healthcare services through the analysis of data provided by patients. Dr. Marin Pandev, Director of the BAS Joint Innovation Centre, outlined the support provided by the Academy for technology transfer and the development of scientific entrepreneurship.
In the other discussions, participants examined issues relating to the publication and patenting of scientific findings, tools to support innovation and the funding of companies based on scientific research. The forum concluded with professional meetings and an exchange of ideas in the garden of BAS.
The SCION Spin-Off Forum was held in partnership with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The SCION initiative helps to connect researchers, scientific organisations and business partners with a view to developing technologies and companies based on scientific findings.
