LSIWC’s project “OsteoWood” presented at the first “BioPhoT” conference

Yesterday, on 24 November, the first conference of the BioPhoT – Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for the Creation of Innovative Products took place under the title “BioPhoT – Latvia’s Innovation Springboard”. The event brought together representatives of the biomedical and photonics industries, science policy makers, researchers, and entrepreneurs. It introduced the first 40 innovation projects funded by the platform, demonstrated their potential, and fostered dialogue on the importance of cooperation between science and industry.

The first 40 BioPhoT-funded research and innovation projects cover sepsis, cancer and infection diagnostics, the development of new sensors and medical devices, optical fibre technologies, luminescent coatings, infrared spectroscopy solutions, innovative biomaterials and composites, environmental and energy-related innovations, and more.
The conference was held at the Science and Innovation Centre of Riga Technical University.

The event was opened by RTU Rector Prof. Tālis Juhna, the Director of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis Dace Kārkle, and Egija Aurēlija Liepiņa, Senior Expert at the Ministry of Economics’ Department of Business Competitiveness. The conference also featured a presentation by Osvalds Pugovičs, Head of the BioPhoT Platform, who outlined the achievements to date and future plans.

Photo: D. Sulžics

The keynote guest was Dr. Scott L. Dax, former Chief Scientific Officer of CerSci Therapeutics, who spoke about the role of innovation in the Build-to-Buy strategy in biotechnology and the company’s route to market.
Latvian companies Groglass and Cellbox Labs also shared their experience.

Participants had the opportunity to hear a presentation by the Director General of the Central Statistical Bureau, Raimonds Lapiņš. Normunds Bergs, President of the Latvian Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry Association (LETERA), gave a talk titled “How to Make an Eel Talk to a Vacuum Cleaner”, while Vitālijs Skrīvelis, Chair of the Board of the Latvian Association of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs (LAĶĪFA), initiated a discussion on the interaction between industry and academia in biomedicine.

The panel discussion “From Academia to Commercial Value – Key Aspects, Challenges, and the Importance of Well-Designed Support Instruments” brought together LETERA President Normunds Bergs, LAĶĪFA Chair Vitālijs Skrīvelis, Ministry of Economics expert Egija Aurēlija Liepiņa, Director of the Latvian Council of Science Lauma Muižniece, CEO of Cellbox Labs Gatis Mozoļevskis, and BioPhoT Head Osvalds Pugovičs. The discussion was moderated by Andris Anspoks.

Photo: D. Sulžics

The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) was represented at the conference by senior researcher Dr. chem. Laura Andže, who is implementing the OsteoWood project within BioPhoT.
The aim of the project is to develop and validate an innovative birch wood material for osteosynthesis implants, offering a biologically compatible alternative for patients for whom traditional metal implants (e.g., titanium or steel) are unsuitable. Approximately 2–5% of patients experience allergic reactions or metal intolerance, and OsteoWood targets precisely such cases.

The OsteoWood team is developing partially delignified, densified and mechanically robust birch wood samples impregnated with oligochitosan to improve biocompatibility and dimensional stability. The material will be advanced to TRL3, including microscopic structural analysis, mechanical testing, and cell compatibility assessments in laboratory conditions.

This biomaterial direction is still scarcely explored globally, and its potential is oriented toward future export and medical innovation built on Latvia’s renewable resources and the high-level expertise in wood chemistry.
The project is implemented by a joint research team from the LSIWC, Riga Stradiņš University, and the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis: Laura Andže, Vadims Ņefjodovs, Mārtiņš Andžs, Juris Zoldners, Sigvards Krongorns, Ulla Milbreta, Antons Sizovs, and Mārīte Škute.

At the conclusion of the conference, Laura Andže emphasized:

“I am convinced that such a platform is extremely important, as it allows scientists to understand the other side of the innovation process – the challenges and requirements of commercialization, which are essential if our ideas are to reach the market. The balanced structure of the conference between academia and the business sector fostered focused discussions on effective science–industry collaboration mechanisms. Therefore, ensuring the long-term continuity and development of BioPhoT, with clear and stable application conditions, is a fundamental strategic priority for maintaining the stability and growth of Latvia’s innovation ecosystem.”

Photo: D. Sulžics

No IVPP-EM-Innovation-2024/1-0002 "Long-term national research programme project "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products"