A software that uses Artificial Intelligence to link the aeronautical sector in Blockchain and that promises to sponsor the first transfer between aircraft in the world; a technology that filters 85% of the food oils and fats present in the water, reducing the pollution they cause; and a game that aims to restore motivation to teaching.
These are three of the ideas born from scientific and technological knowledge carried out in Portuguese Higher Education Institutions awarded yesterday, July 15, in the 2020 edition of the Born from Knowledge Ideas program, promoted by the National Innovation Agency (ANI), and which aims to boost the transfer of knowledge to the business fabric.
The distinguished business ideas gained access to a 3-month Science and Technology acceleration program, also under the responsibility of ANI. Three editions are planned – North, Center and Alentejo – in which the participants will have, over a three-month period, the close monitoring of a network of mentors, made up of other entrepreneurs, ANI partner entities, companies, among others.
The objective is to enable them to accelerate the process of transferring knowledge in products or services to the market.
In an edition still marked by the pandemic, the jury decided to award two health projects: in the category “Technological Solutions for the Prevention, Detection and Treatment of Covid-19”, the spiro4MALAIDS project was distinguished, which discovered a promising molecule that, in addition to inhibiting the HIV-1 and HIV-2 have also been shown to be active against multiresistant strains of the same virus.
It has also proven to be active against viruses such as influenza or coronavirus. In turn, expressPIK, a complementary diagnostic test based on RNA mutation expression, to help clinicians identify breast cancer patients most likely to respond to treatment with alpelisibe or other anti-PIK therapies, won in “Health and Welfare” category.
At BfK Ideas 2020, postponed because of the pandemic, 33 projects were in competition, distributed into six categories: Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Production Technologies; Natural Resources, Environment, Energy and Sustainable Mobility; Health and wellness; Tourism, Cultural and Creative Industries; Natural resources for the enhancement of the interior; and Covid-19’s Technology Solutions for Prevention, Detection, and Treatment.
The jury, formed by João Mendes Borga, administrator of ANI; José Vale, head of innovation and entrepreneurship at IAPMEI; Rui Ferreira, Executive Vice President of Portugal Ventures; and Cláudia Montenegro, director of Social Responsibility at Galp, evaluated the eight finalists, who presented their pitches yesterday after a mentoring received at Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN).
