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Silvia Colucci (Bioincubator): Navigating challenges while seizing the immense opportunities ahead
AI's impact on life sciences should be seen as an opportunity, particularly when coupled with advances in telemedicine and digital health records, to greatly enhance both the efficiency and accessibility in patient care, says Silvia Colucci, manager of the House of Biohealth’s bioincubator facility.
What role does the bioincubator play in Luxembourg’s life sciences and health ecosystem?
The bioincubator is Luxembourg’s only start-up incubator that offers access to equipped laboratory space alongside shared offices, for companies active in life sciences, biotech, healthtech and beyond. The project is funded by a three-year grant from the Fonds Nationale de la Recherche and the Economy Ministry, and the bioincubator’s operations are overseen by the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, the Luxembourg Institute of Health and Technoport. Since I became manager in July 2023, we have welcomed five companies to our facility, and an additional five are currently undergoing our admission process. My role is to provide essential business development and support services to these early-stage companies.
Are start-ups in the sector flourishing in Luxembourg?
Past investments in the public research sector have led to the creation of innovative and promising spin-offs, while the annual Luxinnovation Fit 4 Start programme attracts international companies to establish themselves in this country. In terms of human resources, we are increasingly successful in attracting and retaining talent. I believe the success of the ecosystem in the future will rely on connecting the various players, facilitating exchanges and exploiting synergies, along with access to funding and navigating the sector’s complex regulatory frameworks. This ecosystem comprises a mix of private and public players, including start-ups, investors, incubators and research institutes. Amid the advances in health technology, there will be interplay between multiple players rather than just pure healthtech businesses.
“I strongly support dedicated funding to foster innovation at the intersection of AI and life sciences, which could drive groundbreaking progress and position Luxembourg as a leader in the field.”
What are the risks and opportunities going forward?
It is impossible to discuss risks and opportunities in science without addressing artificial intelligence. AI's impact on life sciences is above all an opportunity. Advances in AI, telemedicine and digital health records can significantly enhance both efficiency and accessibility in patient care. I strongly support dedicated funding to foster innovation at the intersection of AI and life sciences, which could drive groundbreaking progress and position Luxembourg as a leader in the field. Of course, innovation in life sciences comes with risks, particularly in terms of regulation, given the sensitivity of the data we handle. But I believe the Luxembourg ecosystem must be agile and bold, embracing innovation with a problem-solving mindset, navigating challenges while seizing the immense opportunities ahead – accepting that not all research will deliver tangible results, and it may take longer to see the results.