Strengthening the research and innovative capacities of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, the leading Baltic regional centre for drug discovery

Dr. Pharm. Maija Dambrova, Manager

• Project acronym: InnovaBalt• Type of funding scheme: Coordination

and support actions

• Work programme topics addressed: REGPOT-2012-2013-1

• Total cost: 5.2 million euro

• Contribution of EC: 4.7 million euro

Strategic objective of the project

• to strengthen the multidisciplinary research capacities, management of intellectual property as well as human resources in the innovative drug discovery at Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis

Short term objectives of the project:• Establishment and strengthening the long-lasting scientific

collaboration and strategic partnership between LIOS and outstanding research institutions in ERA

• Increasing the innovation and improving of management of intellectual property through collaboration and attraction of external professionals

• Upgrading the research infrastructure at LIOS to promote the capacity for the high level research on innovative drug development;

• Increasing the visibility of LIOS in ERA• Ensuring the synergy between research on innovative drug

development and end-users (SMEs, industry, clinics, patients’ organizations)

• Reinforcing the strategic development of LIOS to improve the response to socio-economic needs of Baltic region in health area

Strategic partnering organizationsCentre de RMN à Très Hauts Champs, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon

France

Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University Lithuania

Tartu University Estonia

University of Antwerp, Antwerp Drug Discovery Network Belgium

RWTH Aachen University Germany

Uppsala University Sweden

Aalto University Finland

University of Florence Italy

Leiden University The Netherlands

Eurice Ltd Germany

University of Zurich Switzerland

Scientific Steering Committee • Representative from Latvian Ministry of Education and Science

• Professor Raimonds Valters from Latvian Academy of Sciences

• Dr. Andis Slaitas, managing director of Syntagon Baltic

• Professor Ari Koskinen from Aalto University, Finland

• Professor Daumantas Matulis from the Institute of Biotechnology, Lithuania

• Professor Ad IJzerman from Leiden University, the Netherlands

• Professor Claudiu Supuran from University of Florence, Italy

• Dr. Eriks Kupce Bruker Biospin, UK

• Professor Edvards Liepinsh from LIOS

• Professor Gunars Duburs from LIOS

Action plan of InnovaBalt projectCardio

vascular diseases

Cancer Diabetes

and obesity

Infectiousdiseases

Neuro degenerative

diseases

Multidisciplinarity: chemical synthesis, molecular modelling,pharmacological activities,targeted drug delivery forms, green chemistry

Multidisciplinarity: chemical synthesis, molecular modelling,pharmacological activities,targeted drug delivery forms, green chemistry

Advanced IP management and protection, innovation capacity buildingAdvanced IP management and protection, innovation capacity building

Training of young and experienced researchersTraining of young and experienced researchers

Collaboration with stakeholders (policy makers, SMEs, industry, universities,hospitals, patient organizations, society)

Collaboration with stakeholders (policy makers, SMEs, industry, universities,hospitals, patient organizations, society)

Integration in European research area to contribute in the solution of currentsocio-economical needs in health area

Integration in European research area to contribute in the solution of currentsocio-economical needs in health area

Organizational structure

Steering Committee for Research Strategy

Steering Committee for Research Strategy

Project coordinatorIvars Kalvins

Project coordinatorIvars Kalvins

WP8 ManagementProject manager Maija Dambrova

WP8 ManagementProject manager Maija Dambrova

ECEC

EU PartnersEU Partners

WP1A.Sobolevs

WP1A.Sobolevs

WP2L.Ignatovich

WP2L.Ignatovich

WP3O.Pugovics

WP3O.Pugovics

WP4P.Trapencieris

WP4P.Trapencieris

WP5D.Tirzite

WP5D.Tirzite

WP6I.Kalvins

WP6I.Kalvins

WP7G.Veinbergs

WP7G.Veinbergs

Work packages• WP1. Exchange of experience and know-how (via international

two-way secondments of experienced and young researchers of LIOS with researchers from excellent and complementary European research centres)

• WP2. Strengthening of the research potential of human resources • WP3. Renewal of research equipment• WP4. Organization of seminars and conferences• WP5. Improving the management of Intellectual Property and

enhancement of innovation potential• WP6. Dissemination and promotional activities• WP7. External Assessment of LIOS• WP8. Management

WP1 Exchange of experience and know-how

Exchange of know-how and experience via international two-way secondments of experienced scientists and young scientists between the LIOS and leading scientific institutions in the ERA– to explore the opportunities for building of lasting

networks – to gain the access to complementary equipment, data

observations and ideas.

WP1 leader: Dr. chem. Arkadij SobolevTask leaders: Dr.chem. Kristaps Jaudzems, Dr. pharm. Edgars Liepiņš, Dr. chem. Aiva Plotniece, Dr. pharm. Maija Dambrova

WP2 Strengthening of the research

potential of human resources

Objectives:• To increase the LIOS research capacity and experience in

new directions of drug discovery by recruitment of experienced researchers

• To increase the international-level transfer process of accumulated knowledge and technologies through the reintegration of experienced researchers from abroad

• To increase the research potential of existing laboratories by recruitment of post-doctoral researchers

The project foresees the recruitment of 8 experienced researchers and 6 post-doctoral researchers

WP2 leader Dr.hab,chem. Lubova Ignatovich

WP3 leader: Dr.chem. Osvalds PugovičsTask leaders: Dr.chem. Kristaps Jaudzems, Dr. pharm. Edgars Liepiņš,

Dr. chem. Aiva Plotniece

WP3 Renewal of research equipment

Objectives :1. Acquisition of modern

equipment and tools necessary for innovative drug development

2. Upgrading the research equipment

WP 4 Organization of conferences, seminars, trainings

WP leader Dr. Chem. Pēteris TrapencierisTask leaders: Dr. Aiva Plotniece, Dr. Maija Dambrova, Dr. Arkādijs

Soboļevs, Dr. Kristaps Jaudzems, Dr. Raivis Žalubovskis, Dr. Osvalds Pugovičs, Ieva Jaunzeme

Objectives: • To facilitate the knowledge transfer at the national, regional and

international levels

• To increase the visibility of LIOS by dissemination of the results of Latvian scientists in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry of heterocycles, structure-activity relationships, experimental chemotherapy and pharmacology to the international scientific community.

• To strengthen the long-lasting scientific collaboration between LIOS and partnering organisations in ERA.

WP4 Events• Workshop “Ready for Horizon 2020” (Winter 2013/2014)• Seminar “Advanced antiinfective drug design” (Spring 2014)• Workshop on publication writing for scientific journals and on

popular science (Autumn 2013)• Seminar „Biophysical methods in drug discovery” (Spring 2014)• Seminar „Protein production techniques” (Spring 2014)• BOS-2014 pre-conference roundtable (June 2014)• Workshop „Competitive proposal preparation for Horizon 2020”

(Autumn 2014)• Gustavs Vanags memorial conference ( Autumn 2014)• Conference “BaltDrug” (May 2015)• Conference “Paul Walden 9th Symposium” ( Autumn 2015)• BOS-2016 pre-conference roundtable (June 2016)• BOS-2016 conference (June 2016)• Participation of LIOS researchers in transnational events

WP5 Improving the management of Intellectual Property and enhancement of innovation potential

WP leader Prof.I.KalvinsThe strategy of this WP is based on 3 principles:• development – by providing the strategic Intellectual Property

development plan for the effective management of IPR and efficient technology transfer process

• collaboration –with governmental institutions, research, academia, industry, technology transfer centres and other stakeholders on the issues of innovation and IPR; by networking with partnering organizations

• awareness – by training and education of experienced and early stage researchers as well as entrepreneurs on the IPR and technology transfer issues

WP6 Dissemination and promotional activities

WP leader Dr. Biol.Dace TirzīteTeam: Edīte Mētere, Dr. Antons Ļebedevs, Dr. Aigars

Jirgensons, Dr. Raivis Žalubovskis, Dr. Ronalds Zemribo

Objectives: • Promotion of InnovaBalt within the scientific community

of Europe

• Dissemination of information on advanced innovative medicine development to the industry sector and other stakeholders

• Providing the information for society on topicalities in innovative drug development and results of InnovaBalt

WP8 Assessment of research and innovative potential of LIOS

WP leader Dr.chem Grigorijs VeinbergThe evaluation of LIOS’ overall research quality and

capability by high-level independent experts, nominated by European Commission.

The evaluation will give essential contribution in the definition of the further Strategic plan to strengthen LIOS research and innovation capacities essential for the regional economical and social development as well as promoting the integration of LIOS in the ERA activities.

WP7 Management of projectWP leader Dr.pharm Maija Dambrova

Management board: financial director of LIOS Dace Karkle

Dr. Edgars Suna, Dr. A. Jirgensons, Dr. Edgars Liepinsh

Objectives:• Setting up the appropriate monitoring, coordination and

communication procedures in order to ensure that project is implemented in a timely and cost effective manner in accordance with applicable EC guidelines and national legislation rules

• Ensuring that EC financial and administrative procedures are respected and reports and cost statements are provided in time

Ove

rall

orga

niza

tion

T8.1 Network managementstructure procedures

T8.1 Network managementstructure procedures

T8.2 Administrative and financial management

T8.2 Administrative and financial management

T8.3 Project technical co-ordination and

quality policies

T8.3 Project technical co-ordination and

quality policies

WP2Reinforcing

human potential

WP2Reinforcing

human potential

WP3Renewal of

research equipment

WP3Renewal of

research equipment

WP4Organization

of seminars and conferences

WP4Organization

of seminars and conferences

WP5Improving the management

of IP and enhancement of innovation

potential

WP5Improving the management

of IP and enhancement of innovation

potentialT2.1 Recruitmentof experienced

researchers

T2.1 Recruitmentof experienced

researchers

T2.2 post-doctoralresearchers

T2.2 post-doctoralresearchers

T4.1 Organization of conferences

T4.1 Organization of conferences

T5.1 Recruitment of experiencedIP manager

T5.1 Recruitment of experiencedIP manager

T5.2 Development of IP policy

T5.2 Development of IP policy

T5.3 Staff exchange and training

T5.3 Staff exchange and training

T3.1 Ccomputercluster

T3.1 Ccomputercluster

T3.2 Crystallizationrobot

T3.2 Crystallizationrobot

T3.4 New imagingTechnologies

T3.4 New imagingTechnologies

WP6Dissemination and promotional activities

WP6Dissemination and promotional activities

WP7Assessment of LIOS

WP7Assessment of LIOS

WP8ProjectManagement

T6.1 Elaboration of dissemination strategyT6.1 Elaboration of

dissemination strategy

T6.2 Exploitation of InnovaBalt

results

T6.2 Exploitation of InnovaBalt

results

T6.3 ProvidingInformation to

industry and SMEs

T6.3 ProvidingInformation to

industry and SMEs

InnovaBaltthe leading centre for drug discovery

in Baltic region

InnovaBaltthe leading centre for drug discovery

in Baltic region

T7.1 Kick-offmeeting of theExperts group

T7.1 Kick-offmeeting of theExperts group

T7.1 Communication and interaction

with Expert group

T7.1 Communication and interaction

with Expert group

T7.3 Evaluation report and recommendations

for Strategic Plan

T7.3 Evaluation report and recommendations

for Strategic Plan

T7.4 Workshopon evaluation

results

T7.4 Workshopon evaluation

results

WP1Exchange of experience

and know-how

WP1Exchange of experience

and know-how

T1.1 Staff exchange planning

T1.1 Staff exchange planning

T1.2 Implementationof outgoing visits

T1.2 Implementationof outgoing visits

T1.3 Implementationof incoming visits

T1.3 Implementationof incoming visits

T3.3 Zetasizer Nano

T3.3 Zetasizer Nano

T4.2 Participation in conferences

T4.2 Participation in conferences

Measure Impact on innovation

Upgrading of LIOS infrastructure

•Increasing the possibilities to use contemporary methods in the research and technology development;•Possibility to use upgraded infrastructure to regional research and industry community.

Recruitment researchers experienced in technology transfer issues

•Increasing the innovation capacity;•Organization of optimal environment for technology transfer and innovation.

Recruitment of specialist in Intellectual property management issues

•Strengthening the technology transfer unit;•Providing the optimal management of Intellectual Property, including rights.

Staff echange in the area of knowledge transfer and IP issues

•Obtaining the best experience in innovation and technology transfer issues

Elaboration of Strategic Intellectual Property development plan for LIOS

•Providing the optimal exploitation of existing innovation capacity of LIOS.

Trainings on Intellectual property management issues

•Increasing the capacity of regional research and industry institutions on protection of Intellectual Property, including rights.

Networking with industry (joint research, activities, dissemination of knowledge, exploitation of results)

•Providing the long-lasting capacity of innovation.

Conferences, workshops, seminars •Providing the knowledge on topicalities in the area of innovative medicine discovery.

The main strategic impacts • Contribution to the research, technology and innovation capacity

building in Baltic region: – by strengthening human capacity – improvement of technology environment and – management of intellectual property– promotion of collaboration between research centres – facilitating of cooperation with industry.

• Strong integration in ERA: through long-lasting partnership with selected European research centres

• Improved participation in FP Horizon 2020 and other European research programmes’ activities:

– increasing the skills and awareness about the preparation of competitive proposals and – improving the management skills– networking with other research centres and industry – establishing new partnerships.

Future expectations

• The implementation of InnovaBalt project will result in 1.5 times increase in number of SCI publications co-authored by LOSI personnel and 1.2 times increase in number of registered international patents

• Reinforced IPR culture is expected to facilitate the collaboration with business sector and improve the score of Latvia and Baltic region in the Global Innovatin index.

• LIOS will become the distinguished centre of research and innovation in the Baltic region in the field of medicinal chemistry and pharmacology and will provide the contribution in the solving of socio-economic needs of European society.

Thank you for attention!

Paldies par uzmanību!