acib Open Innovation Platform for Biotechnology
The term "open innovation" is not new: it was coined by Henry Chesbrough back in 2003. Open innovation refers to opening up the innovation process—including in companies—by strategically involving customers, researchers, partners, and the public to integrate ideas and knowledge and accelerate innovation processes. At acib, the idea of integrating this approach into a dedicated platform arose shortly before the first lockdown: "Since the majority of our research activities are conducted in the laboratory, projects outside the COVID-19 focus had to be severely restricted during the lockdowns. acib used this time to develop a digital open innovation platform for biotechnology projects. Currently, the concept, which has proven successful, is being implemented in everyday business practice, and individual modules will be launched online in stages," explains Dr. Matthias Slatner, Open Innovation Manager at acib Tulln and the platform's originator.
A four-stage model is planned, which will be implemented by the end of 2021. In the first stage, "Ask an Expert," users are offered a dedicated web space on the acib homepage where they can submit technical, scientific, or organizational questions to the comprehensive acib network. This network comprises over 170 international research partners from industry and academia. The submitted question is reviewed confidentially by an acib Open Innovation Manager and forwarded to a suitable network partner. This aims to answer practical questions and, while adhering to clear intellectual property rules, secure new ideas.
In the Virtual Idea Lab, an extension of the Ask an Expert module, project ideas can be posted and edited within the VIL. Idea generators can thus present their innovation proposals to a professionally interested public. These ideas can then be implemented in the third module of the Co-Creation Centre. This module offers innovation partners the opportunity to collaboratively develop new projects in a dedicated virtual space and to further develop existing projects using acib's comprehensive digitalization solutions.
Test Version Online
The test version of the Open Innovation Platform was launched online in early February 2021. Based on feedback, initial ideas, and further research, the test version will be revised by summer 2021, and the final version will be published by the end of the year at the latest.
According to acib Managing Director Dr. Mathias Drexler, the Biotechnology Open Innovation Platform is intended to offer the advantage of even better networking. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, we noticed an increase in cooperation between science, business, and industry worldwide. Since both current pandemic developments and digital platforms affect us all, we want to place a stronger focus on citizen science going forward by integrating questions and ideas from the public into our research." This is intended to attract additional projects to offer new, more efficient services (e.g., in the healthcare sector) and to produce more environmentally friendly products (vaccines, rapid tests, etc.). "Last but not least, platforms like the Open Innovation Platform make it possible to secure Austria's scientific operations beyond times of crisis and to remain internationally competitive and innovative in the digital age," explains Drexler.