The statutory objective of the ICGEB is “to promote international co-operation in developing and applying peaceful uses of genetic engineering and biotechnology in particular for developing countries”, “to assist developing countries in strengthening their scientific and technological capabilities in the field of genetic engineering and biotechnology” and “to develop and promote the application of genetic engineering and biotechnology for solving problems of development, particularly in developing countries” (Article 2(a), (c), (d) of the Statutes).
The three Components of the ICGEB carry out research in scientific areas within the biotechnology domain, which are of high interest for the development of methods, techniques and products of industrial value (including diagnostics, vaccines, biotherapeutics, innovative therapeutic strategies, new crops, innovative biopesticides, biofuel production methodologies). The scientific and technical know-how of the Centre in various areas of biotechnology has significant potential in terms of generating income and contributing towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The ultimate goal of the ICGEB is to make such innovations available to society at large, particularly in ICGEB Member States and include online services.
MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Applied research and product development in the field of biotechnology is central to the core mission of the ICGEB, which anticipated the growing international recognition that biotechnology can offer practical and sustainable solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Research Groups in the three ICGEB Components have multiple interests in the biomedical field and, in some cases, are developing their research in close collaboration with industrial partners who will be able to translate such research results into biotechnology applications.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY
The demand for more effective and sustainable agriculture, able to cope with the exponential increase in the human population and the constraints imposed by current climate changes, is growing in the ICGEB community. Genetic engineering of plants, development of eco-friendly biofertilisers, and other agricultural biotechnologies, together with molecular studies on the resistance of plants to biotic and abiotic stress, are among the most characteristic activities of the ICGEB New Delhi Component and the Bacteriology Group in Trieste.
Industrial Biotechnology
The use of genetic engineering and other modern biological technologies has enormous potential for the production of clean and renewable energy from biological sources.
Devising cost-effective processes to produce second-generation biofuels using microalgae, and the identification of novel enzymes effective against the cellulosic biomass are two examples of how energy can be extracted from biological sources.
Patents
Patents and other intellectual property rights are assigned a key role in the achievement of the ICGEB’s objectives. The legal basis for an effective utilization of rights to intellectual property is secured by the ownership of the ICGEB in “all rights, including title, copyright and patent rights, relating to any work produced or developed by the Centre” (Article 14(2) of the Statutes).
As far as results of genetic engineering and biotechnology developed through projects of the Centre with third parties are concerned, the ICGEB is obliged to follow the policy “to obtain patents or interests in patents” thereon (Article 14(3) of the Statutes).
Your Donation helps
Access to medicine is a fundamental human right. Cancer, diabetes, anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other life-threatening and rare illnesses can often be treated with “biological drugs”. ICGEB helps Member States produce biosimilar drugs at a much lower cost, to reduce price and provide greater access to medicine.
For further information
If your Company/ Institute is interested in technology transfer opportunities and training in biotechnology development, technical assistance for product development and Quality Control services (non GMP), please contact:
Technology Transfer Office
Tel: +39-040-3757365, 304
Email: [email protected], [email protected]