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LIFElab
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LIFElab is the trade name of the East Coast Biotechnology (ECoBio) Regional Innovation Centre. It is one of four Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centres (BRIC's) that were set up by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the auspices of its National Biotechnology Strategy.
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The Department of Science & Technology has set a mandate for the National Biotechnology Strategy to be implemented in order to stimulate economic growth as well as to significantly contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all South Africans - clearly demonstrating governments' support towards the development of a thriving and sustainable biotechnology sector that contributes towards the country's economy.
LIFElab provides venture capital funding to biotechnology projects which focus on human health and bioprocessing. The specific focus of the human health portfolio is infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.
During its four years of operation, LIFElab has successfully established a number of biotechnology companies. People within these companies are exposed to the roles of managing commercial biotechnology enterprises and as a result, the next generation of South African biotechnology entrepreneurs is evolving.
LIFElab's dedication to the development of youth in science is demonstrated through various fellowship, internship and education programmes where graduates and entrepreneurs are provided with the opportunity to obtain relevant experience within biotechnology organizations.
LIFElab is committed to building biotechnology capacity along the East Coast Region through:
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supporting commercialization of science from South African universities and organizations; |
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building and commissioning enabling technology platforms for the commercialization of human health and bioprocessing technologies; |
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allocating facilities, investment and infrastructure to facilitate commercial manufacturing of LIFElab's bioprocessing and human health projects; and |
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funding internships and bursaries within biotechnology organizations and higher education institutes. |
Going forward, LIFElab will be seeking to continue to support the projects invested in and to ensure that these projects reach a successful level of commercialisation.
In addition, LIFElab will invest in technology platforms that are required by the companies and projects that we are involved with. By building platforms for medicinal chemistry, genomics and bioprocessing, we aim to harness the power of world-class technology and the facilities to provide advances in delivery of human health solutions.
LIFElab's Key Successes thus far include:
| Number of platforms |
4 |
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| Number of jobs created |
94 |
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| Amount of funding committed |
R173 million |
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| Number of projects |
11 |
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| New companies created |
8 |
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©Bio2Biz 2008. All Rights Reserved.
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Bio2Biz is proudly sponsored by:
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Bio2Biz is proudly sponsored by:
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