Biotech
is building a
better world
Jean Peccoud talks cyberbiosecurity
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Biotechnology
special edition
January 2018
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iotechnology is transforming how industries and
societies operate. Just about every sector is feeling the
efect. And in this special biotech edition, we take a
look at some of the areas where it is making an impact,
including fashion; food; and the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
Professor Jean Peccoud, Abell Chair in Synthetic Biology at
Colorado State University, also shares his insight and advice on
the hot topic of cyberbiosecurity.
And I wholeheartedly agree with the organisers of the
triennial ACHEMA trade show - the world forum for the process
industries, in labelling Innovators Magazine the ‘perfect ft’ to
be the ofcial publishers of its ‘biotech for chemistry’ magazine.
Read more on the role the ‘biotech for chemistry’ theme will
play at ACHEMA 2018, which will welcome around 170,000
professionals to Frankfurt this summer.
As well as being sent to a targeted biotechnology audience
digitally, this magazine is being distributed to delegates
attending the fourth annual conference of Scotland’s
Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) in
Glasgow. It is the third year we have been a media partner
with the conference, which has quickly established itself
as one of the most infuential in Europe. We have a special
feature section by IBioIC inside.
I am also happy to announce we are continuing our
collaboration with Newsquest International, on the annual
Global Game Changers awards. The
platform recognises and showcases
the achievements of cross-sectoral
innovators contributing to the SDGs.
It will be held in Glasgow later this
year, and then in London in 2019.
We’ll have more details on this on our
website within the next few weeks.
IN THIS ISSUE
CORE TEAM
Welcome
Iain
Robertson
Editor
Biotechnology & …
2 Cyberbiosecurity
4 Fashion
6 The UN Sustainable
Development Goals
10 Women
12 Food
14 Chemistry
16 Trends
Q&A
18 Adeel Aslam, Bouygues
Energies & Services
IBioIC feature
22 Industrial Biotechnology
Innovation Centre (IBioIC)
conference messages
And…
28 BIO conference returns to
Philadelphia
Editor | Iain Robertson
Partnerships | Susan Robertson
Digital | Ryan McFadyen
Design | Blair Carrick
News & Features | Carlotta De Toni
Operations | Gillian Greig
Innovators Magazine accepts no responsibility for any efects from errors or omissions. All material is copyright and reproduction is not
permitted without express permission. All rights reserved.
It’s time to talk about
cyberbiosecurity
Can you give us an
overview of the emerging
field of cyberbiosecurity?
The feld is so new that its
boundaries are very much in fux.
Some people would include standard
cybersecurity or physical security of life
science facilities. Others tend to include
cybersecurity of clinical data or human
genomics database in this area. People
like the sound bite and often associate
it with a number of other existing felds.
Personally, I have a DNA-centric notion
of this feld. I am focused on
understanding how can DNA synthesis,
DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics
create new vulnerabilities and new risk
management strategies.
What are the risks and
opportunities in the
digitisation of DNA?
Keeping the digitisation of
personal genomics data aside, as
this a diferent issue - in biotechnology,
the main risk is that we don’t really
understand the implications of this
trend. As biologists, we still associate
DNA with a natural molecule carrying
the genetic information of living
organisms. Its digital representation is
just a convenience to help work with
the natural organisms. This is not unlike
the early days of software when
computer programs were bundled with
computing hardware. You can think of
digital DNA as software inspired by
natural DNA, like computer programs
are somewhat reminiscent of natural
languages. This analogy with the
evolution of software radically changes
perspective. Digital DNA becomes
man-made. It becomes the expression
of an intent. It becomes more valuable
than the biological samples that
inspired it. That’s the opportunity.
What do you feel are the
key issues that biologists
should be aware of?
Biologists need to develop a
culture of security in their labs.
Most of us are incredibly naive when we
walk into our labs. Biological processes
have a mind of their own. They tend to
be more complicated, slower, and less
reproducible than other felds of
engineering. That reality gives
biologists a high tolerance for
anomalies. In this context, we tend to
attribute anomalies to the complexity
of biological processes. Without
becoming paranoid, we need to learn
to consider the possibility that our
processes behave in unexpected
ways for other reasons than
biological complexity. Human
errors, accidents, software
bugs, or people trying to hurt
us can also compromise what
we are trying to do in our labs.
What can be done
to create the best
possible strategy for
the future?
Talking about the issue
like we do in this
conversation is certainly a
step in the right direction.
Denial is not a very strong
security posture. By
discussing these issues, we
create an awareness that
increases our security.
How can
people connect
and contribute to
the existing work in
this area?
They can reach out
to me as we are
putting together a centre
that will be a forum to
exchange on these issues.
Innovators Magazine caught up with Professor
Jean Peccoud, Abell Chair in Synthetic Biology at
Colorado State University, to find out why…
BIG THREATS
Te exposure of every
organisation is unique. So,
it is difcult to generalise.
However, we can think of
threats at the national level
that would impact every life
science organisation in one
way or another.
A biosecurity incident
with national security
implications would be
catastrophic. If you
remember the policy
implications of the 2001
Anthrax incident, then it is
not hard to imagine what the
policy implications would be
of a biosecurity incident with
roots in emerging
technologies to manipulate
DNA. Te industry as a
whole could face a major
public relations crisis that
would dramatically change
the perception of these new
technologies. We could
end up in a very
diferent regulatory
environment that would
hinder the development of
the bioeconomy.
Compromising
manufacturing capacity.
Incidents afecting industrial
infrastructures are likely
expensive because of the scale
of manufacturing operations.
In many scenarios
recommissioning a
compromised infrastructure
may take months. Tis can
have signifcant disruption on
the availability of life-saving
drugs for instance.
Loss of competitive
advantage and thef of
intellectual property is also a
source of concern. Te
biotechnology supply chain is
getting more global. In many
cases the choice of vendors
and business partners is
driven by short-term cost
reduction without always
considering the
consequences of these choices
on long-term competitiveness.
KEY ACTIONS
Acknowledge the
evolving security
landscape of the life sciences.
Analysing risks is not
pleasant because nobody
likes to discuss their
vulnerabilities. However, the
discomfort of risk analysis is
nothing compared to
managing the crisis of a
security breach.
Education and
awareness throughout
the organisation are essential.
Analysing the risk should not
be the exclusive responsibility
of the scientists working in
the lab. Tis cannot happen
without a strong mandate
from the board of directors
and executives. It is also
important to involve non-
technical parts of the
organisations like
procurement, IT, and
risk management.
Implementing a
security policy is ofen
regarded as an annoyance
that hinders productivity and
negatively impacts an
organisation’s proftability. It
is therefore important to
thoroughly understand the
economics of the risks to
prioritise risk management
policies. Eforts should focus
frst on inexpensive policies
that will positively impact the
bottom line. It is essential to
the sustainability of the efort.
Follow
@peccoud
SHUTTERSTOCK
e are a global platform for
innovation, made possible
through collaboration and
community. With an open invitation
to the entire apparel industry, Fashion
for Good convenes brands, producers,
retailers, suppliers, non-proft
organisations, innovators and funders
united in their shared ambition.
At the core of Fashion for Good is our
innovation platform. Through our Fashion
for Good-Plug and Play Accelerator,
we work with one of the world’s
largest technology accelerators to give
promising startup innovators the funding
and expertise they need in order to
grow. Our Scaling Programme supports
innovations that have passed the proof-
of-concept phase, with a dedicated team
that ofers bespoke support and access to
expertise, customers and capital. Finally,
our Good Fashion Fund (in development)
will catalyse access to fnance where
this is required to shift at scale to more
sustainable production methods.
Additionally, Fashion for Good acts as a
convener for change. From its frst hub in
Amsterdam, it houses a Circular Apparel
Community co-working space, creates
open-source resources like its Good
Fashion Guide, and welcomes visitors
to join a collective movement to make
fashion a force for good.
Fashion for Good’s programmes are
supported by Philanthropic Partner C&A
Foundation and Corporate Partners C&A,
Galeries Lafayette Group and Kering.
Fashion for Good is the global initiative
that is here to make all fashion good.
Colorifx solves the
environmental problems
associated with the production
of pigments and their transfer
to fabrics and garments.
We do this using synthetic
biology, allowing engineered
microorganisms to produce the
pigments for us. Furthermore,
the microorganisms are
used to transfer and fx the
pigments directly to the
fabric, thereby improving
dye transfer efciency and
reducing water and energy
consumption accordingly. The
net efect is a beautifully dyed
fabric or garment but without
the environmental damage
associated with traditional dye
production and transfer.
Dr David Nugent | Colorifx
Limited | colorifx.com
sustainability
CALL-TO-ACTION
FOR BIOTECHS
Through Fashion for Good’s
innovation platform, we support
startups and companies with the
potential to change the fashion
industry for good, and we are
particularly interested in the
biotechnology sphere. If you are
an entrepreneur with a relevant,
replicable and scalable innovation,
please visit fashionforgood.com to
learn more about our work and apply
for the Fashion for Good-Plug and Play
Accelerator if you fnd there is a ft.
Dr David Nugent, Colorifix & Emma
Scarf, Fashion for Good, Amsterdam.
Image credit Rosa van Ederen
We live in a world of fast fashion and disposable clothing and most people think this
is a disaster. They are working on recycling and circular fashion and want to change
the behaviour of seven billion people. This represents an incredible opportunity.
We have an entire generation of people who now expect to own a garment for a
year, maybe two, before disposing it and buying something new. With the right
type of materials they can be custom-designed to meet that life cycle. MycoTEX is a
100% biodegradable material based on mycelium, the root of mushrooms. We have
developed a technology and technique to create a sustainable fabric and made
prototypes with this material and the 3D modelling process. MycoTEX is sustainably
grown in a lab, so we don’t need expensive farmland or its seasonal infuences.
We use less water and no chemicals or pesticides. MycoTEX ofers a shorter
supply chain, limits transport use and allows for an entirely new way of designing
garments. After wearing you can simply bury your garment in the ground and it will
decompose. Aniela Hoitink | NEFFA | nefa.nl
MycoTEX-diagonal
A new online network invites innovators,
startups, companies and others to
collaborate on solutions for some of the
world’s greatest challenges. The first theme
is water scarcity, and a call from UNICEF is
among the first tasks. By Daniel Cardinali
he UN’s 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs)
are a roadmap for sustainable
development, covering the social,
economic and environmental challenges
which face the world today. They are
ambitious and important goals. From
tackling the problem of clean drinking
water to developing sustainable
healthcare solutions for everyone, biotech
has the potential to make
a real impact. But where
do we start? The SDGs are
too complex to be solved
by any one individual
or organisation. The
consensus is that we must
collaborate to solve these
challenges. We need
collaboration to bring fresh ideas and
new perspectives. Working with people
from diferent disciplines leads to new
ways of thinking, better solutions and
faster progress.
HelloScience, an open innovation
community created by Novozymes,
aims to address exactly this. It
provides an online network for
researchers, entrepreneurs, NGOs,
companies and startups to collaborate
in tackling the SDGs together. The
driving force is the ambition to
transform our world for the better.
HelloScience is our attempt to fnd new
and unlikely partnerships by empowering
startups and researchers to develop their
technologies and applications faster.
Everyone is welcome.
Biotechs urged to tackle
global challenges
Everybody with an interest can
suggest ideas on the HelloScience
platform (helloscience.io). By
posting ideas or solutions to a
challenge, you gain access to
a network of researchers and
innovators to collaborate with.
Novozymes will give
enzyme and microorganism
samples to the most promising
ideas and will also provide access to
industry and investment experts.
HelloScience defnes diferent
themes for collaboration. The frst
theme is water, inspired
by the sixth SDG: clean water
and sanitation.
Currently the platform has fve
challenges related to the theme:
innovation for better fltering,
reduction of sludge, recovery of
phosphates in waste, an open
challenge on clean water and a
challenge from UNICEF to develop
a device to aid in the detection of
E. coli bacteria in water.
So far, six solutions posted on
HelloScience are being developed
through collaboration with
Novozymes. One example is an
innovative and sustainable way to
reduce sludge. The solution consists
of using enzymes to treat sludge
waste. The byproducts are water and
a solid biopellet, which can be used
to generate energy.
The biopellet solution comes
from an Argentinian biotech
company, which specialises in
biomining. Other examples of
successful solutions come from
a life science company in India, a
nanotechnology startup from
the Netherlands and a lecturer
from the University of
Queensland in Australia.
The challenges will run for a
specifc time, and new SDG themes
will be added soon.
Please go to HelloScience.io and
join us in solving some of the
world’s greatest challenges.
Daniel Cardinali is Head of
HelloScience at Novozymes
How
it works
Daniel
Cardinali
Working with people from
different disciplines leads
to new ways of thinking,
better solutions and faster
progress.
Novozymes is a Danish
biotech company and the
world’s largest maker of enzymes
and microorganisms. The company
sells its products to more than 40
diferent industries, where they
replace chemicals and accelerate
production processes.
Enzymes are widely used in
laundry and dishwashing
detergents where they remove
stains and enable low-temperature
washing and concentrated
detergents. Other enzymes improve
the quality of bread, beer and wine,
or increase the nutritional value of
animal feed. Enzymes are also used
in the production of biofuels where
they turn starch or cellulose from
biomass into sugars which can be
fermented to ethanol.
Like enzymes, microorganisms
have natural properties that can be
used in industry.
Novozymes supplies
microorganisms that can increase
crop yields in agriculture,
improve animal health and
nutrition, and treat wastewater.
Novozymes was founded in 2000
in a demerger from pharmaceutical
company Novo Nordisk.
Novozymes’ roots date back
to the 1920s when Novo
Terapeutisk Laboratorium and
Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium were
established in Copenhagen.
Enzyme production began in 1941.
Novozymes
Say Hello...
to the HelloScience
community on social media:
@HelloScienceIO
HelloScience
Similar to eforts made by the
biotech industry, the Consortium
for Afordable Medical Technologies
(CAMTech), based at Massachusetts
General Hospital Global Health, has
focused its eforts on addressing
the SDGs by creating shared value
in global health. CAMTech identifes
pressing clinical needs from the feld,
crowdsources innovative solutions
and accelerates the cycle from idea to
patient impact. Since 2012, CAMTech
has leveraged its neutral broker status
to convene a diverse and collaborative
set of stakeholders with a goal of
impactful innovation, bringing
together over 4,370 innovators, 650
mentors and 730 organisations to
design more than 830 innovations.
Using innovation to mitigate
infectious disease outbreaks and
improve maternal and child health
has proved impactful. CAMTech
hackathons, 48-hour events in
which a group of curated individuals
from diferent backgrounds come
together to drive innovation in
healthcare, have allowed clinicians,
public health professionals, engineers
and entrepreneurs to act as frst
responders to infectious disease
outbreaks like Ebola and Zika.
Several hackathons, bootcamps and
innovation awards have also focused
on improving maternal and child
health and closing the gender gap in
medtech.
During CAMTech’s 2014 Stop Ebola
hackathon, innovators designed an
Ebola Treatment Unit that integrates
UN’s 2030
goals should
spark a
conversation
ach of the 17 SDGs outline
strategies to end extreme poverty,
inequality and climate change by
2030. Building on the progress made
by the Millennium Development Goals,
the SDGs prioritise people, planet,
prosperity, peace and partnership to
build a more sustainable world. The
SDGs implicate all countries and all
stakeholders and call upon industry
leaders to address these initiatives.
Two years since the United Nations
implemented the SDGs, the fourth
annual Industrial Biotechnology
Innovation Centre (IBiolC) conference
in Glasgow, which convenes over 400
biobased professionals, academics and
students, is an opportunity to further
these conversations. IBioIC’s mission
is ‘to help businesses large and small
increase the pace of innovation’. The
biotech industry has the potential to
make signifcant contributions to the
SDGs through the use of innovation,
entrepreneurship and sustainable
resources to advance population health.
Using a biotech approach to advance
population health is crosscutting and
aligns with nearly all 17 SDGs.
By Nicholas Diamond
Innovators
simulate an Ebola
Treatment Unit
during CAMTech’s
2014 Stop Ebola
Hackathon.
The RESCUE
Team won for
its optimised
Ebola Treatment
Unit, which is
mobile, scalable
and integrates
culturally sensitive
infection control
and training
methods in rural
settings.
At the 2017 United
Nations General
Assembly, Dr. Data
Santorino, CAMTech
Uganda Country
Manager, presents a
demo of the Augmented
Infant Resuscitator (AIR)
device, which emerged
from CAMTech’s first
hackathon in 2012.
Randomised control
trials demonstrated
that the time needed
to achieve effective
ventilation was reduced
in half when using the
AIR device, and the
duration of effective
ventilation increased by
more than 50%.
In January 2016,
193 world leaders at
the United Nations
implemented the
17 Sustainable
Development Goals
(SDGs) as a part of
the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable
Development.