On May 9, the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) participated in the Mini Innovation Fair – Science in Action, held at the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy as part of the Empower Innovation project. IMR showcased its latest research-driven innovations alongside the Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP) and the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy (IHTM).
Organized in collaboration with NALED and Philip Morris, and supported by the BIO4 Campus, the event brought together institutions committed to bridging the gap between science and the market. IMR contributed with four exhibition booths and a dedicated presentation of its scientific services, highlighting innovations developed at the intersection of research excellence and real-world needs, from new diagnostic tools to advancements in functional food.
Following the exhibition, representatives of key institutions spoke about the importance of connecting science and industry.
Dr. Marija Gnjatović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation and former Director of INEP, emphasized: “Traditional commercialization models no longer meet the demands of today’s market. Through the SAIGE project at INEP, we initiated a transformation to develop new collaboration models and make scientific achievements accessible locally and globally.”
Jelena Bojović, Program Director at NALED, highlighted the role of open innovation and the potential of domestic science to drive economic progress: “Through the Empower Innovation project, we want to show that scientists in Serbia not only generate ideas, but also deliver market-ready solutions. Our goal is to build a bridge between researchers and industry, boosting the growth and competitiveness of the national economy.”
Smiljana Krivokuća, Director of the BIO4 Campus, pointed to the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration: “BIO4 is here to provide systemic support for connecting science and industry. Direct contact between researchers and companies paves the way for solutions that address real-world challenges and lead to innovations with practical application.”
Academician Bela Balint, Minister for Science, Technological Development and Innovation, underlined the vital role of science-industry partnerships: “We’ve seen 17 outstanding innovations today, from milk biofilters and textile production methods to functional beverages. I was especially impressed by research suggesting that plants like tobacco could become sources of new medicines. This truly speaks to the power of science to shift perspectives and uncover new value in familiar resources.”
Among the 17 innovations showcased, the Institute for Medical Research stood out with four exhibits. Dr. Marija Takić presented functional juices enriched with organic calcium, while Dr. Valentina Ćirković introduced an ELISA test for early tick-bite detection based on tick salivary proteins. Dr. Drenka Trivanović drew significant attention with stable multiple myeloma cell lines established in vitro from patients’ primary cells, and Dr. Tijana Subotički presented a novel approach to diagnosing myeloproliferative neoplasms, focused on detecting JAK/STAT pathway activation independently of known genetic mutations.
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