‘CELIS – Cluster Excellence in Life Sciences’ provides financial support for international exchanges

Submitted by Annalisa Zuccotti on 08 June 2020

30 March, Heidelberg. Today the formal kick-off meeting of CELIS project took place on line. CELIS stands for ‘Cluster Exchange in Life Sciences – internationalisation of SMEs’ and is one of the 13 European Strategic Cluster Partnerships for Excellence (ESCP-4X) selected under the last call for proposals of the European Cluster Excellence Programme (COS-CLUSTER-2018-03-02).

CELIS combines some of the world-class life science ecosystems in Europe: BioRN Life Science Cluster Rhine Neckar (Germany), Smart Hub Flemish-Brabant (Belgium), Biopeople: Denmark's Life Science Cluster (Denmark) and Tartu Biotechnology Park (Estonia).

The project helps clusters, networks and business and innovation support organisations to maximize opportunities linked to cross-sectoral and inter-regional cooperation and internationalisation. It offers them and their members unique opportunities to expand their   relationships and to enhance public-private partnerships.

“Through the programme, the partnership will have the opportunity not only to improve its competences and strategies for better serving its cluster members, but also to implement the ClusterXchange pilot scheme, the first edition ever!” says Annalisa Zuccotti (BioRN), coordinator of the project.

ClusterXchange will offer financial support to visiting cluster members for matching with peers from other clusters, to take advantage of growth opportunities emerging from collaboration (e.g. uptake of advanced technologies, development of joint projects, follow-up of a matchmaking event, etc.).

The exchanges will be facilitated by CELIS events, the EventXchange that will take place in the four different regions and focus on digitalisation, clinical useful biomarkers, companion diagnostic, micro and nano-electronics and multi-omics.

In addition the partnership discussed also the project and ClusterXchange programme can accelerate research and development in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

We are looking forward to an active participation and fruitful exchanges of our members within and beyond the partnership.

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