The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) successfully hosted its Multiplier Event for the Biotech Venture Pathway Project, leveraging the regional flagship event, Patents Week, to drive discussions on technology transfer and market readiness on November the 6th. The core activity was a dedicated session focused on biotechnology, featuring a panel of leading experts tackling the transition of scientific discoveries “from the lab to the market”.
The session, titled Del laboratorio al mercado: un recorrido en distintas fases (From the Lab to the Market: A Journey in Different Phases), focused on contrasting levels of maturity—from initial research phases to regulatory readiness as a strategic approach.
The debate brought together a ‘quadruple helix’ of expertise, blending academic research, entrepreneurial success, and investment insight:
- Rebecca Neri (Moderator), Project Manager at Asociación EMERGE. Her expertise lies in transforming research results into market value and accelerating technological transformation within the Archipelago’s productive sector.
- Edgar Cabrera, CEO of Noactuamed. This ULPGC start-up is transforming cardiology through the remote monitoring of patients with pacemakers via their advanced platform, RHIMTeC®, optimising clinical follow-up.
- Óscar Martel, Professor at ULPGC. A standout in technology transfer, he holds a patent for a percutaneous costotome for the correction of pectus excavatum, which has received awards and shows international promise.
- Mario Grande, Managing Partner at Nowture. A serial entrepreneur and investor with over 20 years of 360º experience in the biotech and life science sector, having led teams across multinational pharma, venture capital, and start-ups.
- Wilfrid Girard, Managing Partner at MD Medical Devices Group. He previously led the global launch of the “Zyoptix” excimer laser platform and now advises innovative teams on achieving real, sustainable impact, from concept to solution.
Addressing the Transition Challenge
The high-level panel debate tackled crucial issues facing the sector:
- Major Challenges: Discussion centred on the principal difficulties faced by companies and research groups when trying to scale an innovative idea into a project with sufficient market maturity.
- Regulatory Influence: Experts examined how regulatory maturity significantly influences the decisions made by investors when considering a commitment to a new biotech start-up.
By integrating this event within Patents Week, ULPGC and the Biotech Venture Pathway Project positioned themselves at the centre of the regional innovation dialogue, providing a platform for local entrepreneurs and researchers to gain critical insights into the commercial and regulatory demands of the global biotech sector.