'HealthCompetence.eu' is an interactive online platform that currently includes over 3 300 projects on life science and health supported by the European Commission since 2004. It provides access to information on these research activities and results.

Presented on 8 June 2010 during the Information Day on the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) Health Research organised by the European Commission, the platform aims to present the projects' latest results in terms of technology offers, patents and publications. The platform is far from being a static database; it offers a row of interactive search devices which facilitate the identification of potential collaboration partners and the set up of partnerships between academia and industry in health research. The prototype of the platform was launched during the BIO Convention in Chicago in May 2010 and has already raised a lot of interest.

In contrary to other more static databases, this platform presents reliable and updated information on the projects. Thanks to cooperation agreements with top technology transfer organisations in Europe representing large research organisations such as the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the Swedish Karolinska Institute, etc., the results of the projects will be continuously updated. Therefore, the platform will contribute to a better dissemination of publicly funded research results. Furthermore, it offers interesting functionalities for researchers and institutions.

At the BIO International Convention, the prototype of the platform has attracted wide attention and has been seen as an important contribution to show the positive impact of research for innovation. Among others, the National Institutes of Health, which similarly to the European Commission strive after a successful and positive dissemination of scientific activities and results, have expressed their interest in joining HealthCompetence.eu as cooperation partners.

The healthcompetence.eu platform is being implemented by a consortium of three partners: an Information Technology (IT) company specialising in the management of research information, a private subsidiary of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and the European Federation of Biotechnology. The IT company provides a software platform for managing research information all along the research life cycle. The private subsidiary of Inserm has a strong experience in technology transfer, from invention disclosure to industrial partnership. And finally, the European Federation of Biotechnology, through its large membership, will strengthen the visibility of the output of the research activity supported by the European Union.

 Further information:

• Original Press Release - Directorate-General for Research - European Commission
• HealthCompetence.eu