Trinity College at BIO Europe 2018 - Copenhagen

Bio Europe is one of the largest and most relevant events in the Pharma and Biotech partnering calendar. This year, it took place in November (5th – 7th) in Copenhagen. The event is the largest of its kind, covering the Global Pharma and Biotech sector with more than 4,000 attendees from 61 different countries. There were around 5,000 licensing opportunities and about24,000 face-to-face meetings. Every year new trends emerge from innovative discoveries, changes in regulation and of course the effects of the global economic climate. The sector has seen a surge in competition particularly in areas of immune-oncology, central nervous system disorders and other areas leading to an increase in the number of alliances. This edition of BioEurope saw engaging panel discussions on various topics such as Global research and partnering trends, Research Strategies and business models to expand research portfolios, how to deal with the disruption created by new players in the digital therapeutics space as well ashow to keep drug development alive in rare and CNS diseases.

Dr Juan Valverde, Business Development & Innovation Manager and Aoife Tierney Technology Transfer Case Manger were at Bio Europe 2018 to meet with existing partners and to seek out new partners for Trinity College Dublin, offering to add value to their existing Research & Development portfolios. Industry engagement can be carried out through different mechanisms such as licensing strategic technologies, and/or accessing research outputs, world-class infrastructure and expertise through collaborative research projects. During BIO Europe, Trinity College Dublin presented its technology portfolio which includes licensing opportunities in the areas of:

1. Life Sciences - Microbiology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular and cellular biology, biotechnological and pharmaceutical sciences. We currently provide solutions related to biomarkers, vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
2. Information & Communications Technology - Computer Science & Engineering. We provide solutions in health informatics, digital content and artificial intelligence.
3.  Physical Sciences - Physics, Chemistry & materials sciences. We provide solutions in the areas of innovative materials, sensors, lasers and composite nanomaterials.
4. Biomedical - Medical diagnosis, treatments and monitoring of patients. We provide solutions in diagnostic tools, cardiovascular devices and patient monitoring devices. 

Aoife Tierney, Trinity’s Technology Transfer Case Manager in Life Sciences noted “The Pharma sector is undergoing a period of big changes – economic trends, regulatory and the disruption of emerging digital technologies. Large Pharma and smaller Biotech companies are seeking appropriate partnerships that will help them stay competitive in this challenging environment”. Trinity’s reputation in the areas of Immunology, Cancer and CNS makes us the partner of choice for many international companies.

Trinity College Dublin support to Biotech and Pharma
A significant cohort of pharmaceutical and biotech companies have already partnered with Trinity College Dublin to develop and complement their research portfolio.
Trinity College Dublin is a recognised research leader in understanding the mechanism of action of diseases and translating this bench-side knowledge to the bed-side, creating impact and benefit to communities. Some of the existing collaborations take place through Trinity’s Research Institutes.

Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI)
The Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) is one of 5 Trinity Research Institutes.  It brings together the Schools of Medicine, Chemistry, Biochemisty & Immunology, Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Science and BioEngineering. In this environment, innovative and interdisciplinary approaches are leading to scientific discoveries of biomedical importance, ultimately leading to a better patient care. TBSI focuses on the mechanistic and molecular basis for a whole range of human diseases, including infectious and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, and type 2 diabetes, neurological diseases such as motor neuron disease and multiple sclerosis and different types of cancer.
For more information : https://www.tcd.ie/biosciences/

Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI)
Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI) was created to drive the need for knowledge that realises human benefit. TTMI is a health sciences-focused educational and research institution that consolidates patient orientated research across Trinity. TTMI is uniquely placed to develop and enhance translational research for the benefit of patients and to improve the health of the community. There are 4 thematic areas of research prioritised within TTMI:

1. Translational Cancer
2. Translational Immunology and Infection.
3. Genomics of Human Disease
4. Nanomedicine & Key enabling Technologies.

TTMI’s targeted research portfolio is designed to develop improved diagnostics, therapeutics and devices. TTMI’s patient-centred research tackles important healthcare delivery issues; informs policy and clinical practice, disseminates impactful research, and enhances the quality of education of healthcare professionals.
For more information: https://www.tcd.ie/ttmi

Trinity– Saint James Cancer Institute (TSJCI)
Trinity is currently developing the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute which will become one of the most significant developments in Ireland’s response to cancer for a generation. TSJCI will integrate innovative and ground-breaking cancer science with patient-focused clinical case through translation of key research findings into incremental advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer; providing national leadership to decrease cancer incidence and improve survival of patients with cancer in Ireland and Internationally.

St. James’s Hospital is currently the largest cancer centre in Ireland, with approximately 4,500 new cancer cases annually. It has a well-developed highly specialised multidisciplinary team (MDT) model, and houses several national and supra-regional centres, notably for bone marrow transplantation, oesophageal and gastric cancer, lung cancer, gynaecological cancer, head and neck cancer, and lymphoma/leukaemia.

The strategic objectives of the new Cancer Institute will include:

1. Enhance the multidisciplinary team model to improve patient case and outcomes.
2. Develop a national hub for Molecular Diagnostics and Cancer Genetics
3. Expand clinical trials and introduce early phase clinical trial programme.
4. Establish a structure for dedicated education and training of cancer health case professionals and scientists.

The Clinical Research Facility (CRF) is a partnership between Trinity College Dublin and St. James’s Hospital and is funded by the Wellcome Trust and Health Research Board (HRB). The CRF facilities include clinical consulting rooms, bed wards, isolation rooms, research pharmacy, compounding unit for handling novel therapeutics (inc. cytotoxic) and dedicated neurophysiology, neuropsychology and exercise physiology resources covering 1,300 m2 of high-quality clinical research space.
For more information: http://www.sjhcrf.ie

Partner with Trinity College Dublin
Trinity is committed to supporting industry — from start-ups to SMEs to MNCs, from short term projects to long term on-going collaborative projects. In a national or international context, we work collaboratively with industry stakeholders and agencies to share infrastructure and expertise, tackle industry relevant research challenges, problems, or address grand challenges. Trinity Research & Innovation is the unit within College that manages intellectual property, supports campus companies and builds external relationships to facilitate academic-industry research collaborations. The aim is to ensure transfer of technology and knowledge from Trinity to external entities for societal and economic benefit.

If you are company interested in knowing how Trinity College Dublin can help you overcome some of your scientific or engineering challenges don’t hesitate to contact us at: partnership@tcd.ie

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