The biomarine industry, under the umbrella of the BioMarine
Business Convention, has set up a new international association called BioMarine
International Clusters Association (BICA). It launched the BICA in Halifax,
Canada, on September 9, 2013 as part of the 2013 BioMarine Business Convention.
The biomarine industry is wider than just aquaculture and the
organisers of BioMarine Business Convention, which is held annually in
different locations each year, believe that there is significant synergy
between the various marine-related industries such as energy, cosmetics,
pharmaceuticals, etc to warrant an independent association.
“The biomarine industry is an emerging economic sector based
on biotechnology and marine bio-resources,” says Pierre Erwes, the chairman and
co-founder of BioMarine Business Convention.
“This new transversal industry sector brings a novel
approach to economic growth and a large potential for new business
opportunities and jobs.
“The world of marine bio-resources is a complex one with
fast and changing boundaries effecting on the one hand the industries involved
and on the other hand the various innovation processes. I have often emphasised
throughout our BioMarine Conventions how the disparity of our activities offer
a world of opportunities and synergies.
“By structuring our marine bioresources industry with a
transversal approach, we open new walkways for applied research and
development of international collaboration, as well as numerous
business opportunities. The biomarine sector is a new source of
economic development, one where the value chains and the business models
are still under development.
“Simultaneously, the oceans are the only remaining
truly unexplored resource, a resource we cannot afford to ignore. Since
we started the first BioMarine platform in 2008, I have been preparing
this next big step forward to structure our industry.”
Founding
members
Bernard Fautrier, CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco
Foundation and co-founder of the BICA says, “The Prince Albert II of Monaco
Foundation is committed, among others, to ocean sustainability and marine
conservation.
“Environmental issues in marine bioresources spheres are of
considerable importance: energy, health, food and environment. It appears that
industry and finance are two fundamental components of ocean sustainability. If
we wish to foster the development of ocean conservation we must increase
collaboration between marine stakeholders: research community, industry and
investment sectors as well as the civil society.”
As a leader in marine bioresources, Norway is in a position
to attest to the tremendous added value of public-private partnerships
especially when putting research projects on the market.
Øystein Lie, chairman of MareLife, Norway is also a founding
member of BICA says access to finance is always the most difficult part
for an SME.
“On the other side the investors need to foster their deal
flow and make sure the scouting process is accurate, with minimal risk.
MareLife and BioMarine have joined together to provide a
unique scouting platform that guarantees minimal risk investment for VCs and
private equity. BICA is a unique global organization that offers both SMEs and
the investor a meeting place to exchange, discuss and finalize deals.”
A third player in BICA is the North Carolina Marine
Bio-Technologies Center of Innovation. Deborah Mosca, its CEO and founding
member of BICA, says, “MBCOI facilitates collaboration on emerging marine
biotechnologies between researchers, industry and funding organisations to
commercialise new scientific discoveries.
Centered in Wilmington, North Carolina, MBCOI combines a
regional focus with a global perspective. North Carolina is a coastal state
with a wealth of natural resources and human capital invested in marine
science. Pre-eminent marine scientific communities have been established at
several campuses within the University of North Carolina system, such as Chapel
Hill, East Carolina, State, and Wilmington as well as private institutions such
as Duke University.”
Their efforts are supported by multiple state and federal
organisations such as NC Sea Grant, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and National Institute of
Environmental Health Science.
Along with a proximity to the Research Triangle Park, one of
the nation’s largest and most prestigious biotechnology clusters, MBCOI is
centrally positioned to facilitate partnerships between scientists and industry
wherever they are located.
“Our mission in partnering with BICA is to provide a conduit
for the global exchange of ideas, perspectives and collaboration on a
range of projects and programs. BICA is a valuable resource committed to
actively supporting and promoting interdisciplinary biomarine research,
development, and entrepreneurial opportunities. MBCOI is proud to be a
founding member of this organisation.”
Finally, Ilaria Nardello, Marine Biotechnology Research
Coordinator at the National University of Ireland, Galway, and founding member
of BICA, explains how the new association can help the Irish marine biocluster.
“The Marine Biotechnology Research Coordination unit (MBRC)
at the National University of Ireland Galway fosters collaborative research and
development initiatives between research centres, industry and development
agencies, at the national and international level.
“With the support of national funding agencies and the EU,
and in collaboration with various institutes across the Island of Ireland, the
aim for the MBRC is to support the development of Ireland’s marine knowledge
economy by connecting the actors that, together, can contribute to societal
innovation.
“Our focus is on the area of health and well-being, with
applications for the biomedical, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical sectors. We
believe that BICA can importantly contribute to create awareness of the
business opportunities connected with marine biological knowledge and the
importance of biotechnology in achieving a sustainable exploitation of our
resources. BICA can further support our mission to develop a functionally
interconnected marine biotech community by exposing and exploring aggregation models
and practices.
“BICA will provide effective mechanisms for Ireland’s marine
biotechnology R&D capabilities to connect to the global sphere of sensible
entrepreneurs, investors and markets. It is through these connections that
innovation occurs to tackle the societal grand-challenges of sustainable food
provision, environment protection and increased well-being.”
BICA will provide associates with international business
contacts and networking tools to enhance global communication and foster
innovation through its think-tank approach.
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| Albert II, Prince of Monaco (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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