Biotechnology In Brazil Research Articles

An Analysis of Biotechnology Production in Brazil: A Bibliometric Analysis on the Patentscope Platform

Objective: The study aimed to map the production of technologies and innovations related to biotechnology in Brazil. Theoretical Framework: It was decided to take patents granted in the databases of the National Institute of Intellectual Property as a basis, using the patentiometry technique. Method: The patentiometry method is used, with the characterization being the analysis of the results of 2,396 patents, characterizing 'countries', 'regions and candidates', 'IPC code' and 'publication dates' and the stratification of information was carried out, generating the data to be analyzed in the research. Results and Discussion: Significant emphasis on research centers and public universities in the development of technologies. In recent years, the Brazilian national market began to compete with foreigners, this fact forced the national industry to rethink its conventional models and strategies, with Brazil being the sixth largest producer of pharmaceutical methods, another fact that presents similarity is in relation to agro-industries, addressing Brazil stands out in this production. Implications of the Research: It was evident that Brazil has directed part of its resources to investment and development of technologies in the country and biotechnology is driven by research centers and federal universities. The South, Southeast and Northeast regions are made up of the states that have greater expressiveness in innovation and technologies related to biotechnology. Originality/Value: This study contributes to literature, scientific and social academic community, as it presents data on innovation in the field of biotechnology, enabling reflections on impacts, investments and development of the country through technological production.

Entrepreneurship in biotechnology in Brazil: the path to innovation development

Studies and debates on entrepreneurship, innovation, and biotechnology have been highlighted on the world stage. Considering this context, it is necessary to evaluate innovation and its consequences for the entrepreneur because innovation is a fundamental requirement for the success of the entrepreneur, especially when it involves the biotechnology area. Innovation has the power to create a new product, a market success, and generate economic benefits for the company. In this context, this work aims to understand through literature research how the insertion of innovation in entrepreneurship can contribute to the biotechnology area. To gain the necessary understanding of the theme, the methodology used was bibliographic research with the purpose of collecting and synthesizing existing knowledge. The results found showed that there are gaps between entrepreneurship and the process of searching for innovation, the selection of ideas, and the challenges facing the changes needed for the entrepreneur's initiatives to be successful. In the biotechnology area, entrepreneurship can assist in innovation processes as well as strengthen the capacity for competitiveness. Therefore, this research puts into debate the relevant aspects of entrepreneurship, the innovation process in the biotechnology area, and its impact on the economy and society.

Assessing environmental impact of genetically modified seeds in Brazilian agriculture.

Genetically modified (GM) seeds have had relevant impacts on worldwide agriculture, even with a limited number of essential traits launched in the markets. The focus on platforms crops has favored the combination of traditional breeding, GM insertion, and diffusion in agriculture. One of the remarkable features of the GM traits has been the close link with pest and weed control systems. We investigate the environmental effects due to pesticides for two different GM seeds: insect resistant (IR) cotton and herbicide tolerant (HT) soybeans in a particular period of Brazilian agriculture, 2009–2013. We use a dataset on commercial farms' use of pesticides and biotechnology in Brazil to document environmental effects of GM traits. We explore within farm variation for farmers planting conventional and GM seeds to identify the effect of adoption on the environmental impact of pesticides measured as the quantity of active ingredients of chemicals and the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) index. The findings show that the IR trait reduces application of insecticides by 22% and the associated environmental impact by 20% the environmental impact of insecticides. However, for HT traits, we find that application of herbicides increases by 55.8% and the associated environmental impact by 44.4%, showing a significant increase in the EIQ. The HT results are driven by an increase of less toxic herbicides elevenfold larger than the decrease in less toxic ones, which we interpret as evidence of weak substitutability between herbicides of different toxicity levels. Addressing what happened in the last decade, the paper also presents a view of the transformations in GM usage in Brazil, focusing on the considerable success in adopting stacked genes. Future perspectives point to a more diversified menu of technologies, crops, and adopting countries, going beyond platform crops and more prominent agriculture exporters.

Desenvolvimento tecnológico da biotecnologia para a saúde no Brasil

Objective of the study: This study aims to analyze the technological development of health biotechnology in Brazil in the period from 2007 to 2016.Methodology: The research methodology was based on a quantitative approach with the application of statistical methods aligned with patent analysis. Data collection was carried out on the institutional page of the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). The health biotechnology patents were classified according to the definitions presented by the Biotechnology Development Policy (PDB).Originality/Relevance: This study brings new contributions to the literature on the technological development of biotechnology when dealing with the sectoral level.Main results: The results obtained showed a total of 503 patents granted, with applications that mostly involve human health (70%). The development of drugs for the treatment of metabolic or endocrinological diseases is notorious, while vaccines have greater applications in the prevention of veterinary diseases. Also, patent ownership belongs mostly to large companies in developed countries.Theoretical/methodological contributions: The study deepened the understanding of the technological development of biotechnology in Brazil using patent indicators and allowed us to understand this dynamic in the sectorial context involving health.Social/managerial contributions: The statistics of patents in health biotechnology can assist policymakers in practices aimed at promoting research, development, and innovation activities with applications in health.

The sectoral dynamics of the protection of biotechnology in Brazil

The study analyzes the dynamics of the protection of biotechnology in Brazil through the patent documents. Data analysis was carried out through the use of protective measures aiming to understand the dynamics of development and protection involving biotechnological knowledge in the health, industrial, agricultural and environmental sectors outlined in the Biotechnology Development Policy. In the protection measures, a new method was based on claims data and their relationships. Different trajectories and associations for the protection of biotechnology were shown producing information can be used as a source of support for the patenting and management of intellectual property in the area.

The role of interactive learning in innovation capability building in multinational subsidiaries: A micro-level study of biotechnology in Brazil

Although multinational enterprises (MNEs) from advanced economies have increasingly internationalised their innovation activities, including R&D, into emerging economies, we have an incomplete understanding of how subsidiaries in these contexts create the technological capabilities to innovate. Based on a single-case qualitative study of a Brazilian subsidiary of a large biotechnology MNE (1989-2016), we found that: (1) the subsidiary's technological capability-building, from production-based to advanced levels (including R&D for applied research), reflects the effectiveness with which it implemented interactive learning strategies through the use of ‘science, technology and innovation’ (STI) and ‘doing, using and interacting’ (DUI) learning mechanisms to tap into three types of knowledge sources: within the subsidiary, the MNE corporate network, and other host sectoral system organisations; (2) the effectiveness of these strategies related to the combined and complementary use of various STI/DUI learning mechanisms over time, which supported the technological capability-building process and, ultimately, the implementation of innovation activities with increased value and novelty. By using a comprehensive and integrative approach to interactive learning, examining how such learning affects the subsidiary's accumulation of innovation capability ‘levels’ and adopting a micro-level perspective in a host emerging economy, we contribute to furthering the understanding of knowledge-seeking strategies and innovation in MNE-subsidiaries, from the standpoint of biotechnology. We also provide a basis for deepening the analysis of interactive learning in subsidiaries in other industries and other emerging economies.

An overview of intellectual property within agricultural biotechnology in Brazil

Brazilian agricultural biotechnology has seen great advances in recent decades, especially in the development of GM crops, including soybean, cotton, and maize, which has placed Brazil in second place since 2013 in the ranking of countries with the greatest GM-cultivated area. However, patenting these technologies is somewhat more restrictive in Brazil than in other countries, such as the USA and Japan, especially concerning isolated biological material from nature. Hence, the intellectual protection of crops in Brazil is encompassed by sui generis rights and/or the patenting of only the development process. Given the current scenario and the importance of biotechnology for the Brazilian agriculture sector, it is necessary to deeply study the patent system for recently developed technologies to identify opportunities for enterprises and national institutes to act in this area. The application of novel biotechnological strategies to agriculture will contribute to the expanding agriculture sector and become part of the solution to global challenges. Through this study, we can identify the major companies developing and protecting their agrobiotechnologies. Additionally, a more detailed analysis verifies that although there are some restrictions in Brazilian laws, GM patent applicants find ways to obtain intellectual protection for the tools they use in the development of GM crops, which include regulatory sequences, gene constructs and production methodologies. Mechanisms to stimulate investment in Brazilian research companies and public policies must be consolidated, allowing investment and public–private partnerships in this sector, with the aim of applying biotechnological knowledge and turn it into products demanded by society.

Marine Biotechnology in Brazil: Recent Developments and Its Potential for Innovation

Marine biotechnology is an emerging field in Brazil and includes the exploration of marine microbial products, aquaculture, omics, isolation of biologically active compounds, identification of biosynthetic gene clusters from symbiotic microorganisms, investigation of invertebrate diseases caused by potentially pathogenic marine microbes, and development of antifouling compounds. Furthermore, the field also encompasses description of new biological niches, current threats, preservation strategies as well as its biotechnological potential. Finally, it is important to depict some of the major approaches and tools being employed to such end. To address the challenges of marine biotechnology, the Brazilian government, through the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Communication, has established the National Research Network in Marine Biotechnology (BiotecMar) (www.biotecmar.sage.coppe.ufrj.br). Its main objective is to harness marine biodiversity and develop the marine bioeconomy through innovative research.

Responsible Innovation and political accountability: genetically modified mosquitoes in Brazil

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we analyse the introduction of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes in Brazil and use this case to probe the notion of Responsible Innovation and its applicability to the development of new public health biotechnologies in the global South. OX513A, a strain of GM Aedes aegypti mosquitoes developed by the British firm Oxitec, has been used experimentally in Brazil since 2009, when it was imported into the country as a promising new tool in the fight against dengue. We discuss the regulatory history of OX513A in Brazil, as well as the forms of ‘community engagement’ that have accompanied the release of transgenic mosquitoes. We argue that the conduct of a scientific research project is only part of a broader effort to localise insect biotechnology in Brazil, an effort that has enjoyed very visible support from political authorities across the country. We conclude by arguing that if the framework of Responsible Innovation is to have purchase on this sort of transnational and multifaceted innovation trajectory, it has to include at its centre a strong notion of political accountability.

Evidences in Scientific Knowledge Management of Biotechnology in Brazil

This paper presents a study on scientific knowledge management of Biotechnology area through analysis of scientific Biotechnology trends in Brazil, providing an overview of the science profile as well as regional development and its relation to issues of topics based on the analysis of scientific publications for the period of last 10 years. Given these promising prospects, the monitoring and searching of scientific advances and trends in this area of knowledge have become essential for searching opportunities in R&D and also for potential innovations and business opportunities, both in developed countries as well as in countries of emerging economies such as Brazil. The survey was accomplished in database Web of Science using 60 terms selected in Biotechnology area and 72,187 documents has been organized. Scientific indicators were produced using data/text mining tools. It was possible to find a greater number of scientific publications in areas such as Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Genetics & Heredity. Results pointed out The USA as the main foreign partner-country of scientific publications followed by UK, France and Germany. It was possible to verify cooperation network with others Latin American countries.

A Study of Stakeholder Views to Shape a Communication Strategy for GMO in Brazil.

This paper analyzes the view of stakeholders on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the implications of these views on communication strategies for agricultural biotechnology in Brazil. It identifies and describes common groups of attitudes toward GMOs using multivariate statistical analyses. The study then looks for patterns of association between the common attitude groups and the following variables: socioeconomic characteristics trust in institutions as information sources and familiarity with the Brazilian biosafety authority. The article contributes to the understanding of public awareness by highlighting how information sources, trust in institutions, and socioeconomic characteristics, such as age and occupational qualification, play important roles in defining patterns of attitudes toward GMOs. The paper also discusses the implications of this knowledge for the development of a communication strategy plan that would promote public awareness and stimulate a well-informed Brazilian public debate on biosafety.

Brazilian biotechnology network - the challenge to innovate in biotechnology in Brazil

Brazilian biotechnology network - the challenge to innovate in biotechnology in Brazil

The 5th Congress of the Brazilian Biotechnology Society (SBBIOTEC): Meeting abstracts.

Despite Brazil's increasing production of scientific articles in the last three decades, this growth has yet to translate into an effective contribution to the economic development of this large and diverse country and to the improvement of the life standards of its population. The advances in biotechnology, whose full development relies on the elucidation of the main tenets of biology, plays an increasingly crucial role in food security, environmental remediation, sustainable bio-based industry and public health. Recognizing the key relevance of biotechnology to the overall development of our country, the Brazilian Biotechnology Society was founded in 1988. The SBBIOTEC was established to promote the overall progress of biotechnology by integrating biosciences, technology development and capacity building, aiming at contributing with positive impacts on the economic development and well-being of the Brazilian society. Scientific in its nature, from 1998 on SBBIOTEC has held Congresses in Sao Paulo, Salvador, Fortaleza and Santos. For the 5th edition of the SBBIOTEC Congress, held in the beautiful city of Florianopolis, the organizing committee thought it would generate a permanent memory of the content of the event by publishing a BMC Proceedings supplement. By capturing the current status of research and applications of biotechnology in Brazil, SBBIOTEC hopes to provide better visibility and value of the scientific contributions presented by the participants and make such an initiative an everlasting one for future Congress editions. During five days, in eight scientific sessions, an outstanding team of scientists both from public and private organizations shared their results and visions on the present and future of this fast moving area of science and technology with an audience of over 600 attendees. Some of the current advances of biotechnology research and applications in Brazil were presented together with keynote contributions from international scientists. In total, 47 oral lectures and 264 poster presentations, these last ones mostly by undergraduate and graduate students, were delivered, totaling 311 papers now available online as extended abstracts into this BMC Proceedings supplement. Presentations covered four different areas, namely: agricultural, human health, animal and industrial biotechnology. Besides the Brazilian delegates, scientists from biotech companies in Canada, USA, and Europe also came to the Congress to discuss important issues such as industrial scaling up, animal and insect gene expressions and markers for the early detection of epithelial cancer, to name a few. The program included a specific section on biofuels biotechnology, a challenging area that can be significantly boosted by metabolic and genomic engineering strategies applied to industrial yeast strains to improve bioethanol production. In human health, stem cells, tuberculosis and cancer were thoroughly discussed with emphasis on monoclonal antibodies in the therapeutic scenario. Pre-clinical and clinical trials were dealt as a critical issue to this process, particularly in light of a recent activist attack that destroyed one of the very few skilled institutions performing pre clinical trials in Brazil. In agricultural biotechnology, an area where Brazil is currently a worldwide key player, a number of important advances were presented in the area of nitrogen fixation in grasses, host pathogen interactions, and vaccine production in plants. Biological control of plant pests and human diseases such as dengue fever, and advances in RNA interference and intragenics were also hot topics of discussion. In animal husbandry the potential production of heparin in Brazil and several advances in animal gene expression were thoroughly discussed. Finally, specific sessions were devoted to the discussion of the legal framework for bioscience development, graduate training and initiatives to enhance biotechnology collaborative networks in Brazil. In closing this introductory statement, a major acknowledgement is due to the outstanding financial support provided by the Federal District Research Foundation (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Distrito Federal FAP-DF) that made the Congress and this BMC Supplement possible. Besides the financial sponsorship of FAP-DF and an active Scientific Committee involved in abstract review, a number of people were involved in the organization and logistics. The conference would not have been possible without the valuable contributions of all these players. Given the rewarding feedback received after the Congress, we believe that the goal of providing a good mix of science and social interactions was truly accomplished, which we trust should be well illustrated by the abstracts that now follow these brief opening words.

Northeast network in biotechnology (RENORBIO)

Northeast network in biotechnology (RENORBIO)

Recepta biopharma portfolio: clinical and pre clinical development

ReceptaBiopharma is a Brazilian Biotechnology company dedicated to the research and development of monoclonal antibodies and peptides as therapeutic agents for treatment of cancer. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognize specific targets on the surface of cells, or secreted signaling molecules, and can work as anti-tumor agents by inducing tumor cell death. MAbs act by targeting the tumor cells themselves, but can also cause tumor death by targeting endothelial cells (anti-angiogenic agents) as well as cells from the immune system, such as T-cells (immunomodulators). MAbs that target tumor cells can cause tumor cell death by several processes, including induction of apoptosis by interference with survival and proliferation pathways, cytotoxicity mediated by proteins of the complement system (CDC - complement-dependent cytotoxicity) or by effector cells (ADCC-antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity), as naked agents. MAbs can also be used as carriers, conjugated with toxins or radioisotopes, leading to a broad spectrum of therapies. Over 10 mAbs have been approved as therapeutic agents for Oncology. Before a drug can be offered to patients, there are several well-defined phases in the process of Drug Development. After discovery of a novel agent, in pre-clinical development mAbs are characterized in terms of 1) binding to the target (in vitro assays), 2) biochemical features, 3) functional activity (cell-based assays), 4) reactivity to human tissues (immunohistochemistry), 4) anti-tumor efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics (animal studies). In order to test a novel drug in human patients, a compilation of all pre-clinical data and the design of the first clinical trial are included in a package that is submitted to the regulatory agencies. Clinical development also goes through phases: Phase I Studies evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics and dose escalation, Phase II studies evaluate safety and efficacy, Phase III Studies are designed to confirm clinical efficacy with a larger number of patients, which are critical for approval for commercialization. Recepta´s drug development program has mAbs in discovery, in pre-clinical development and in clinical trials, as well as peptides in discovery and pre-clinical development. Recepta´s portfolio and associated challenges in drug development will be discussed.

Seaweed biotechnology in Brazil: six decades of studies on natural products and their antibiotic and other biological activities

The Brazilian seaweed assemblage currently comprises 770 taxa, distributed along 7,367 km of coastline with highly diverse ecological conditions, suggesting a high biotechnological potential for these species. Studies on seaweed biotechnology in Brazil began in 1948 and have produced extensive published information that is presently scattered in many sources. This manuscript presents an overview of biotechnology studies on seaweeds that were carried out in Brazil, from the earliest through 2012, with the purpose of directing new studies in this field. The studies analyzed were retrieved from the curricula of Brazilian seaweed researchers, centralized in the public database Curriculo Lattes, supported by the Brazilian National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq). Scientific papers dealing with biological activities of natural extracts from native and some non-native seaweeds were selected. The survey was complemented by a search for older references cited in the first group. Together, the studies extend over 64 years, totaling 364 scientific papers investigating the potential of 160 seaweed taxa, including tests for 6 antibiotic activities, 11 categories of other biological activities, and a wide range of natural products. In general, the studies focused on antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, and antiviral activities, and some characterized the effects of molecules, including sulfated polysaccharides, lectins, and terpenes.

The Role of Innovation Policies in the Brazilian Health Biotechnology Regime

ABSTRACT The Brazilian biotechnology health innovation regime can be understood as a phenomenon that results from the co-evolution of scientific, economic, and political factors. In order to analyze this co-evolution process, this article presents empirical evidence regarding the relationship between the public policy rationale devoted to promoting innovation activities and the development of health biotechnology in Brazil. Focusing on the 2002–2010 period, this article analyzes the different roles played by public policy on the development of Brazilian health biotechnology. The article is based on the analysis of two main dimensions: the national research capabilities and the dedicated biotechnology firms in Brazil. In this regard, the main conclusion is that public policies had a significant impact on both dimensions. However, the impact has been erratic and reflects strategic public policy weaknesses.

PHARMACEUTICAL MARKET AND OPPORTUNITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY FOR GENERIC DRUGS: A BRAZILIAN CASE STUDY OF OLANZAPINE

This paper aimed to identify and analyse the evolution of the generic pharmaceutical market in Brazil, specifically olanzapine drugs. For this purpose, it has been demonstrated trends through access free tools. By bibliographical survey in indexed databases as well as official data in Brazil for generic drugs and public policy, it was analyzed and performed a case study . In 2012, global pharmaceutical industry surpassed US$ 950 billion in sales with trend to reach US$ 1,2 trillion by 2016. In Brazil market has grown in its global ranking, jumped from 10th place to 7th place in five years and projection it’ll stay Top five by 2015. Brazil has significant presence in pharmerging markets by increasing US$ 10 billion/year. Generics segment accounts approximately to 20% of the total market. 2003-2011 registered a growth of 42.3%. Patents expiration in the neuroleptics area becomes more promising like a market of olanzapine in the last eight years is around US$ 120 million. After the end of the olanzapine patent (2011) sales increased 270% which demonstrate potential Brazilian market in this new century. Management problems for developing nations and undeveloped such as network management and patents analysis for health care might reveal great opportunities for investors, e.g., creation of the Big Brazilian biotechnology pharmaceutical industry. Keywords: competitive intelligence, pharmaceutical trends, technological and innovation management.

Ensaio sobre as virtudes do capital de risco corporativo para projetos de alta tecnologia no setor agrícola: a trajetória inovadora da Alellyx Applied Genomics e da CanaVialis

The aim of this paper is to investigate the trajectories of two Brazilian start-up companies dedicated to RD matured in VNN (Votorantim Novos Negocios), the new business incubator of Votorantim Group S/A, one of the largest Brazilian businesses in commodities; and finally sold to the multinational Monsanto. This study attempted to understand the rationale and advantages of the various corporate investments and public policies in aimed at biotechnology in Brazil's agricultural sector. This work uses the case study methodology, specifically the analysis of the two companies described above. The results show that although the main objective of the economic group is the rapid recovery of invested capital and financial returns, the corporate affiliation of these companies has stimulated a set of capabilities for enterprise management in Alellyx and CanaVialis, which were critical for the maturation of the businesses. It also shows the importance of the contribution of resources through the support mechanisms of the national innovation system.

Biopharmaceutical and Biosimilar Products in Brazil: From Political To Biotechnological Overview

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one third of the world’s population don’t have the necessary access to pharmaceutical products, including essential drugs. In Brazil, the Governmental Health System (SUS) distributes some medicaments for free to the population. They were, then, classified into three categories in the country: basic, strategic and specialized components. Among these categories, the last one is highlighted due to the expensive costs of its products, which are essential for the treatment of rare and specific diseases. For this reason, the Ministry of Health created, in 1993, the Program for Specialized Medicaments, where all the drugs included in this category were distributed for free through Clinics and Hospitals. During the first year of this Program’s implementation, there were 15 different items distributed into 31 distinct presentations. Nowadays, the list expanded to 150 different items dispensed into 310 presentations. Hence, the availability of imported pharmaceutical products in Brazil overloaded the expenses by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Only during 2011, US$ 1.5 billion were spent on these products, where 30% of this amount was related to specialized ones. In order to reduce costs, the Brazilian Federal Government developed, in 2004, the Technological Innovation Law. According to the Decree number 6.041, the National Politics for Biotechnology and the National Committee of Biotechnology were created in order to stimulate the development of Biotechnology for human health, targeting mainly the national production of biopharmaceuticals. Furthermore, the end of patents for several medicaments during the last 5 years enhanced the motivation for national production of new drugs. In this way, some Governmental Institutions, in partnership with International Pharmaceutical Industries, started developing the first biosimilar molecules. Therefore, this report describes the evolution of Biotechnology in Brazil, relating the laws, regulations and Programs created along the last 20 years for Human Health application.