Building bridges between science and industry
About this good practice
To concentrate resources and update R&D, innovation and knowledge-intensive business infrastructure, to advance technology development and transfer to commercial application, and enable science and business cooperate effectively, 5 Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centres (Valleys) has been established in Lithuania. Santara Valley (technological cluster) was built concentrating potential and creating better conditions for the interaction of research and business in the areas of biotechnology, biopharmacy, molecular medicine, innovative medical technologies, informatics, ecosystems and safe environment. The modern infrastructure serving the needs of research and technological development was built to apply scientific results in industry and business more vigorously, to encourage the establishment of new economic operators of technological profile, to create the conditions for the cooperation of knowledge-intensive businesses with the research, and boost the competitiveness of Lithuanian science and technologies.
Santara Valley was established combining two approaches: top-down and bottom-up. Government approved Valleys Concept and invited academia and industry to prepare programms for Valleys development. Only Santara Valley programming and development was led by industry and business.
Valley stakeholders: 2 universities, 4 research institutes with Open R&D centres, 2 university hospitals, Visoriai IT Park, 30 companies, 6 business associations, etc.
Resources needed
Public investments needed to set up and develop Santara Valley’s R&D infrastructure was €73.3 million.
Private companies invested over €80 million to set up and develop companies’ infrastructure, plants, R&D labs, production lines, etc.
Evidence of success
Valley’s IT, biotech, pharmacy companies input into national GDP in 2013 was 1,4 billion Eur. Over the last two decades Lithuania’s life sciences industry has been skyrocketing and is regarded as one of the most advanced in Central and Eastern Europe, demonstrating 22% annual growth. Around 90% of the production is being exported. The success of biotech industry starts with investments into Santara Valley. 204 M Euro private investments, 800 work places related to high tech industries.
Potential for learning or transfer
Santara Valley is an example of the successful triple helix collaboration how public investments into technological and research facilities, Open R&D centres encouraged industry to contribute to the development of Valley building private facilities, plants. This technological cluster was established in close collaboration between industry and business using Public - Private Partnership model. From the very beginning industry, business representatives were interested and actively participated in the development of the technological cluster.
Santara Valley is a network of research and study institutions, companies, clusters related to Key Enabling Technologies sectors. It is a clear evidence how industry and business, especially SMEs can benefit from the cross-sectoral cooperation affected by territorial proximity.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA)