News
The Commission publishes the proceedings of the Workshop “SMEs in Health
2011-05-09 21:07:24
This publication has been developed by Commission Services to assist participants of EU-funded Health research projects, in particular SMEs, in the valorisation of results and in the communication of project successes.
It is a practical guide providing information on existing support structures available in Europe (such as the European Medicine Agency's SME office) and on potential sources of financial support.
It has been produced thanks to the valuable assistance of the participants to the workshop "SMEs in Health Research, Opportunities during and after participation to EU funded projects". The workshop has been organized to support participants to our FP6 "SME call" (namely call FP6-2005-LIFESCIHEALTH-7), through which 86 projects have been funded for a total EU contribution of € 200 million, out of which about 40% is going to about 240 SMEs.
The invited experts ranged from representatives of financial institutions, European associations, EU funded support structures plus Commission officials either from the Health Directorate or other services and institutions.
Through this initiative, it intended to assist coordinators (and other participants) of SME driven projects for results valorization and in the communication of project successes, informing them of existing support structures available in Europe and possible sources of financial support.
The workshop objectives were to:
The Health Directorate published the workshop proceedings as a source of practical information and included the next contents:
2011-05-09 21:07:24
This publication has been developed by Commission Services to assist participants of EU-funded Health research projects, in particular SMEs, in the valorisation of results and in the communication of project successes.
It is a practical guide providing information on existing support structures available in Europe (such as the European Medicine Agency's SME office) and on potential sources of financial support.
It has been produced thanks to the valuable assistance of the participants to the workshop "SMEs in Health Research, Opportunities during and after participation to EU funded projects". The workshop has been organized to support participants to our FP6 "SME call" (namely call FP6-2005-LIFESCIHEALTH-7), through which 86 projects have been funded for a total EU contribution of € 200 million, out of which about 40% is going to about 240 SMEs.
The invited experts ranged from representatives of financial institutions, European associations, EU funded support structures plus Commission officials either from the Health Directorate or other services and institutions.
Through this initiative, it intended to assist coordinators (and other participants) of SME driven projects for results valorization and in the communication of project successes, informing them of existing support structures available in Europe and possible sources of financial support.
The workshop objectives were to:
- provide information on project management and on various support mechanisms available to SMEs for exploitation of results sharing the acquired knowledge with other project participants;
- explore how the Commission services could improve the working relationship with SMEs;
- initiate an exchange and discussion with SMEs and academia, representatives of the major European SME associations and other relevant stakeholders, on areas of research most suitable to SMEs for the further development of the new Framework Programme;
- foster debate on innovation and improvement in the exploitation of research results.
The Health Directorate published the workshop proceedings as a source of practical information and included the next contents:
- WORKSHOP INTRODUCTION (INCLUDING SURVEY RESULTS)
The survey was sent to 86 coordinators of the SME-STREP Call; 50 of them responded. The suggestions for the workshop coverage were taken on board in the development of the programme. - FP6 ONGOING PROJECTS
This session was designed to provide the necessary information for a successful kick-off of funded projects; in particular it gives guidance on project management. This was complemented by a presentation on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and communication to help project participants with successfully preparing the future valorisation of project results from the very beginning. - SUPPORT PROVIDED THROUGH OTHER INSTITUTIONS
This session included presentations by EU institutions or support structures not funded by DG RTD but which are relevant for SMEs. Presentations were made by the European Medicines Agency and the SME Office and the Innovation Relay Centres, funded by DG ENTR and included the example of the Medical Technology Thematic IRC group (MTTG). - EUROPEAN ASSOCIATIONS RELEVANT TO SMES
In a “tour de table”, the main European associations, relevant to SMEs working in Healthcare in Europe, illustrated their potential service and explained main political objectives. - POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FINANCIAL SUPORT
It provides a short flash on possible sources of financial support, clarifying the role of different players and helping companies to understand the complex investment market reality. It included presentations from the European Investment Fund, the Biotech and Finance forum and the European Venture Capital Association. A short presentation on the Risk Sharing Finance Facility has been added to the proceedings, being relevant as another possible source of loan financing for large companies, Universities, but also to SMEs, through a programme co funded by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. - THE FUTURE: FP7
This session was designed to provide insight on FP7, with focus on the Health Theme and Calls. It also illustrated the support structures tailored to encourage health researchers to participate in FP7 proposals and some examples of the support actions designed for the valorisation of health funded projects’ results. - OPENING THE DEBATE ON HOW TO STRENGTHEN INDUSTRY-GOVERNMENT-ACADEMIC-ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERSHIPS
Leonard Lerer, Senior Research Programme Manager at the INSEAD Healthcare Management Initiative, was one of the workshop participants. He provided the included contribution to the proceedings to stir up debate and reflection on Life Science Technology Transfer. INSEAD is one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools, aiming at developing responsible, thoughtful leaders and entrepreneurs who create value for their organisations and their communities. Through its research, INSEAD aims to expand the frontiers of academic thought and influence business practice.
advertisement
