Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for the Creation of Innovative Products (BioPhoT)
Aim
By 2032, the goal is to produce 35 new technologies reaching at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3–4, with at least 23 of them advancing to TRL 5–6. A minimum of 4 technologies should reach the commercialization stage.
The platform places strong emphasis on innovation education and technology transfer training, fostering collaboration between scientists, the commercial sector, and policymakers.
This approach aims to bridge the gap between science and business, helping inventions overcome the so-called “valley of death” on their path to market.
The platform’s strategic impact lies in its ability to identify early-stage ideas with low TRL but strong commercialization potential, and to elevate them through project implementation—ultimately preparing competitive applications for commercialization grant programs by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA).
Description
The project envisions the creation of a long-term interdisciplinary research and innovation platform that will implement research and innovation projects through to 2032 in the following smart specialization areas:
Biomedicine, medical technologies, and pharmaceuticals – aimed at improving access to therapies to increase life expectancy and productivity. This includes developing drug manufacturing technologies (including delivery systems and vaccines), drug repurposing, new drug discovery and development research, identifying novel biomarkers, and advancing precision medicine solutions.
Photonics and smart materials, technologies, and engineering systems – focused on developing optics, photonics, microelectronics, microfluidic devices, smart materials, data transmission and communication technologies, sensors and engineering systems, robotics, and future Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.
The platform is built around a consortium coordinated by the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS), in collaboration with the following partners:
- Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (EDI)
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment (BIOR)
- Institute of Solid State Physics (CFI)
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (LBMC)
- Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LVKĶI)
- Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU)
- Riga Technical University (RTU)
- University of Latvia
Expected results
| Expected results | 30.11.2025. | 30.11.2026. | 30.11.2032. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patent applications submitted (WIPO, EPO) | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Policy recommendation reports and analysis of policy impact | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Submission of a project proposal to an international or national research and development funding call | 0 | 5 | 15 |
| Successful completion of a Master’s thesis and final examination | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| Doctoral dissertation defended in accordance with formal procedures | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Additional outcomes | |||
| Funded projects within the platform | 40 | 65 | 195 |
| Incl. TRL increased by at least one level | 0 | 40 | 120 |
| Technologies reaching TRL 3 or 4 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| Incl. technologies that have advanced to TRL 5 or 6 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
The project Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for the Creation of Innovative Products (BioPhoT) is implemented in the state research program Innovation Fund
