In January 2012, we closed the BIO-X® call that invited academic research groups to submit a proposal for new diagnostic tools and methods for diagnosis, prognosis, patient stratification and monitoring of treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, malignant tumors and autoimmune and hypersensitivity disorders. Below, you find information on the call. New calls, addressing other healthcare needs, will be published here later.
BIO-X is a catalyser for transforming great research ideas into innovative new life science solutions that fulfil a defined need. The end goal is a proof of mechanism or a proof of concept for a highly competitive new product.
BIO-X offers a unique opportunity for research and industry to develop their best ideas together, as well as cultivate their skills, experience and network in the life sciences. Mutual investment ensures that all parties are engaged, and professional tracking methods keep BIO-X projects on plan.
Funding and process support
BIO-X usually grants 50 % of the required funding to selected projects, up to 2 million SEK for up to 18 – 24 months. Grant receivers, and runners-up are also offered selected support, including planning tools, IP advice, and business development where necessary. Thanks to Uppsala BIO’s partnership with Roche, available financing and process support is not limited to Uppsala BIO’s capacities, nor defined in advance. Interesting project proposals within the scope of this call will be considered and evaluated.
An essential part of the BIO-X process is the regular evaluations made by BIO-X advisory board.
Science, industry and healthcare at work together
To all projects, suitable industrial partners are signed up from the outset. BIO-X supports researchers and companies in the matchmaking, and in setting up suitable agreements. Roche is a strategic partner to the BIO-X program, which opens up a variety of opportunities to projects interested in partnering with Roche.
Partnering with Roche
With Roche as a strategic partner to BIO-X, your project has the opportunity to connect from the outset with a global player with expertise in developing new pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.
Of interest to this call is Roche’s focus on therapeutic needs in CNS, inflammation, oncology as well as on enabling technologies.
Personalised healthcare is a core concept in Roche’s strategy and favour a close cooperation between their pharmaceutical and diagnostics division. Diagnostic tools and methods are needed to accompany new and existing therapeutics for better patient stratification, support the choice of correct treatment and dosage and for the development of new components and drugs.
What are we looking for?
BIO-X awards projects that can make major improvements and may contain a degree of risk, rather than low risk projects that make incremental improvements. The end goal is a proof of mechanism or proof of concept for a competitive new product. This year's theme is new diagnostic tools and methods for diagnosis, prognosis, patient stratification and monitoring of treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, malignant tumors and autoimmune and hypersensitivity disorders.
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Selection procedures
Evaluation of proposal is made by our Advisory Board consisting of representatives from life science industry and healthcare. Evaluation is based on five criteria: Customer, Product, Project, Science and Your team.
Current BIO-X projects
The first BIO-X call for proposals opened in 2004. Since then, Uppsala BIO has managed seven calls and received over 200 project proposals. Eleven projects have so far received full support from BIO-X.
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Who can apply?
Main applicants for BIO-X should be a researcher affiliated to universities or public institutes in East Mid Sweden, i.e. the counties of Uppsala, Stockholm, Södermanland, Västmanland, Örebro and Östergötland.
Each project team should however include members with the competencies needed to reach the project goal. This will most certainly include partners from life science industry and healthcare. BIO-X invites all applicants to look for the best team members, without regard to their geographic location. The team must not be fully set at the time of application. Uppsala BIO is happy to assist in setting up a good team. Our collaboration with Roche may be one, though not the only, possibility.
Contact
This call closed January 17, 2012. For further information, contact Kristin Hellman, tel +46 (0)70-256 59 83 or Karin Agerman, tel +46 (0)70-300 88 09, project managers at Uppsala BIO.
New calls for proposals will be published on this website.