Science in action: Innovations from the laboratory ready for the economy

The second innovation fair “Science in action,” held at the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), gathered numerous researchers, business representatives, and institutional stakeholders. A total of 17 projects and services were presented at the fair, developed by three renowned scientific institutions – INEP, the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy (IHTM), and the Institute for Medical Research (IMI).
The fair was organized within the Empower Innovation project, implemented by NALED and supported by Philip Morris International, with additional support from the BIO4 Campus.

The Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Academician Bela Balint, emphasized that cooperation between scientific institutions and the private sector is key to progress.

- At the fair, we saw 17 outstanding projects – from respiratory monitoring devices and new fabric production methods to innovations in treating depression and headaches using magnetic stimulation. I’m particularly pleased to see research showing that plants like tobacco can become sources of medicine – which confirms the power of science to shift perspectives. These projects prove that our science not only possesses knowledge but also delivers solutions to meet the needs of society and the economy, said the Minister.

Jelena Bojović, Program Director at NALED, highlighted the importance of linking science and business for Serbia’s sustainable development.

- Through the Empower Innovation project, we want to show that domestic science has a lot to offer the private sector – with ready, concrete, and market-oriented solutions. Our goal is to enable researchers to find industry partners, and for companies to enhance their products and processes through collaboration with scientific institutions, Bojović explained, announcing that another science innovation fair would be organized by the end of the year.

Smiljana Krivokuća, Director of the BIO4 Campus, stated that the goal of this event is to initiate and improve cooperation between the private sector and research institutions within the BIO4 Campus.

- Creating an ecosystem that supports innovation, and enabling science to identify and propose innovative solutions to real market challenges, is one of our main objectives. We are open to hearing from business and industry leaders, to understanding their challenges and needs, and to jointly presenting solutions that are competitive on national, regional, and global levels, Krivokuća emphasized.

Former Director of the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), Marija Gnjatović, pointed out the institute’s unique role in developing diagnostic tests — from immunochromatographic and ELISA methods for detecting diseases in humans and animals, to tests for nutritional allergies in dogs, and innovations in dermocosmetics based on sheep placenta extract and plant-based bioactive components.

- Over our 65-year history, we’ve completed more than 130 scientific projects. Today, we are the only institute in the region dedicated to the development and production of in vitro diagnostic medical devices. Our immunoassays are the result of domestic expertise and decades of research. Through cooperation with universities, international organizations, and the private sector, INEP actively contributes to innovation and the successful commercialization of scientific results, said Gnjatović.

The event also featured projects in the field of food safety, such as allergen detection and control, and the use of biofilters to remove aflatoxins from milk and juices. Innovations in biotechnology and medicine were also presented, as well as solutions like second-generation energy crops, which can contribute to the energy transition.