Confindustria Bari-Bat and the Italian node of the European Infrastructure Elixir for Life Sciences, coordinated by the National Research Council, have signed a long-term agreement which aims to foster collaboration to generate new ideas, develop innovative solutions supporting biotech companies, and promote training and research projects.

With funding from the PON CNR.BiOmics and PNRR ELIXIRxNextGenIT projects by the Ministry of University and Research—totaling about 35 million euros to enhance the Italian node—Elixir-It has acquired advanced genomic analysis tools. These are located at its operational headquarters at the Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics, and Molecular Biotechnologies of the CNR in Bari and at the Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Environment of the University of Bari Aldo Moro, forming a significant integrated facility nationally and internationally.

Confindustria Bari-Bat aims to strengthen collaboration with public and private entities in the region, promoting cooperation for high-level training and research projects of common interest. The partnership between Confindustria and ELIXIR-IT will stimulate mutual collaboration in training and innovation activities to develop innovative biomedical and biotechnological solutions.

Sergio Fontana, President of Confindustria Bari-Bat, stated: “Through Open Innovation, following the new draft law on ‘Measures to promote Open Innovation’ by the Puglia Region, we accelerate innovation in businesses and develop new industrial solutions through public-private collaboration.”

Graziano Pesole, Head of Node of ELIXIR Italia, added: “With the advanced technological equipment and excellent skills and knowledge in Elixir-It, we are confident of being the right partner for companies seeking to start collaboration processes and access Elixir-It services in an open innovation model, in order to foster growth and development in the Puglia region.”

As a first joint commitment, an “Industry Engagement” event is being organized in Bari for November 2024, with the support of the Elixir-Europe Hub and PNRR funding to enhance research infrastructure.

Contacts:

• Graziano Pesole, Cnr – Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (Cnr-Ibiom)
• Francesca De Leo, Cnr-Ibiom
• Vittorio Colangiuli, Director Confindustria Bari and BAT
• Donatella Gaudiuso, Head of Press Office Confindustria Bari and BAT

For the original press release in Italian, click here.