Ten years of R&D and full automation in molecular diagnosis.

A 10-year experience of our automated molecular diagnostic platform that carries out 91 different real-time PCR is described. Progresses and future perspectives in molecular diagnostic microbiology are reviewed: why automation is important; how our platform was implemented; how homemade PCRs were developed; the advantages/disadvantages of homemade PCRs, including the critical aspects of troubleshooting and the need to further reduce the turnaround time for specific samples, at least for defined clinical settings such as emergencies. The future of molecular diagnosis depends on automation, and in a novel perspective, it is time now to fully acknowledge the true contribution of molecular diagnostic and to reconsider the indication for PCR, by also using these tests as first-line assays.

Enhancement of R&D project management system

Stora Enso has research centres in Finland, Sweden and Germany. The research centres use PIMS as a research project invoicing and monitoring system. Possible reorganization and new financing model for R&D functions have been considered and the project management system should be developed to support the new operation model. The objective of this thesis is to find a model for R&D project management, and to present the project management system of Stora Enso, and to discuss if the current system could be developed to respond to the new needs or should it be replaced with another system. The theoretical part of the study describes challenges in R&D project management, and presents different project characteristics, and methods for managing R&D project portfolio. It is also described how the project management system can support project monitoring and controlling, and how inter-project learning can be enhanced. The empirical part of the study presents the current project management system of Stora Enso and how the system should be developed to support Stora Enso’s R&D functions better. In conclusion, it is stated that there is no relevant reason to replace PIMS with another system, because PIMS can be developed to support R&D project management better with a hybrid system. It is also suggested that the new financing model should not be implemented before more comprehensive analysis of its effects is conducted.

Estalviar en R+D+I surt car

A Catalunya parlar d'innovació s'ha convertit gairebé en un tòpic. Sentim en declaracions i discursos que la R+D+I hauria de salvar l'economia del país, però, realment, quants dels que ho diuen s'ho creuen? No ho sé, però és evident que per sortir enfortits de la crisi necessitem innovar. Tanmateix, perquè la innovació es converteixi en un motor de l'economia fan falta polítiques que ho facin possible. La innovació no la fa l'administració, també ha d'innovar, com qualsevol organització, però no és l'administració la que té aquesta funció. Amb tot, sense l'administració la innovació no reïx. Els països que han fet de la innovació una prioritat política han crescut més

R+D+i, la clau de l'estat del benestar

Els indicadors que mesuren la situació de la nostra recerca bàsica no són dolents. Les publicacions i llur impacte en la comunitat científica internacional certifiquen una posició digna d'universitats, centres de recerca i hospitals i si aquests resultats es correlacionen amb el finançament públic els resultats són destacats. Sense cap cofoisme, la situació de Catalunya és molt millor que la de la resta de l'Estat espanyol. La comparació té interès perquè Catalunya, sotmesa a la llei espanyola, pateix de les mateixes cotilles i, a diferència del País Basc, no pot dedicar els seus recursos a desenvolupar la política que voldria

El dèficit de R+D en el sector empresarial

Si ens fixem en la recerca bàsica, Catalunya és, sens dubte, líder a l'Estat. És el resultat d'una encertada tasca encetada a principi del decenni passat i que, malgrat les vicissituds pressupostàries negatives, s'ha mantingut i ha donat fruits. Tanmateix, les coses no són iguals quan ens referim al percentatge del PIB invertit pel conjunt de la societat catalana. Segons les darreres dades publicades per l'INE, referides al 2009, Catalunya hi va destinar l'1,68% del PIB regional. A una distància considerable trobem Navarra (2,13%), el País Basc (2,06%) i la Comunitat de Madrid (2,06%).

Farmacologia i Toxicologia en R+D+i: adquisició de competències a través d'un exemple de desenvolupament d'un fà rmac

La implementació de l’assignatura en elGrau de Farmàcia ha suposat pensar en una nova estratègia per tal de desenvolupar algunes competències transversals de laUniversitat de Barcelona i afavorir en els alumnes la integració dels coneixements.Els professors, de les unitats i grups d’innovació docent de Farmacologia i de Toxicologia, vam estimar quins continguts eren imprescindibles, constatant que alguns d’ells s’impartien ja en altres assignatures, i vam adoptar la següent estratègia: 1) re-elaborar els continguts ja impartits i emmarcar-los en l’entorn de la indústria farmacèutica; 2) presentar nous continguts; iprincipalment, 3) elaborar una bateria d’activitats centrades en el procés de R+D+i d’un fàrmac concret, el dabigatran. El disseny i el desenvolupament de les activitats s’han elaborat en base alEuropean Public Assessment Report (EPAR) per el dabigatran i l’NDA (New Drug Application) a la FDA per la seva autorització.

Farmacologia i Toxicologia en R+D+i: adquisició de competències a través d'un exemple de desenvolupament d'un fà rmac

La implementació de l’assignatura en elGrau de Farmàcia ha suposat pensar en una nova estratègia per tal de desenvolupar algunes competències transversals de laUniversitat de Barcelona i afavorir en els alumnes la integració dels coneixements.Els professors, de les unitats i grups d’innovació docent de Farmacologia i de Toxicologia, vam estimar quins continguts eren imprescindibles, constatant que alguns d’ells s’impartien ja en altres assignatures, i vam adoptar la següent estratègia: 1) re-elaborar els continguts ja impartits i emmarcar-los en l’entorn de la indústria farmacèutica; 2) presentar nous continguts; iprincipalment, 3) elaborar una bateria d’activitats centrades en el procés de R+D+i d’un fàrmac concret, el dabigatran. El disseny i el desenvolupament de les activitats s’han elaborat en base alEuropean Public Assessment Report (EPAR) per el dabigatran i l’NDA (New Drug Application) a la FDA per la seva autorització.

Trolley R&D project for a small portal log yard crane

This master’s thesis was done for Andritz Inc. Atlanta Georgia. The purpose of the thesis was to develop a new trolley for a small portal log yard crane. In the beginning of the thesis the basic principles of the systematic design processes have been described, along which the design work of the trolley has proceeded. The second literature part consists of the design and dimensioning of the welded steel structures under fatigue loading. The design work of the trolley consists of the engineering and the selection of the mechanical components and the design of the load carrying structure for the trolley. The realization of the steel structure of the trolley is based on the fatigue and static dimensioning. The fatigue dimensioning is grounded in the life expectations estimated for the trolley and the static dimensioning is based on the CMAA guidelines. The computer aided element method was utilized in the design of the steel structure. The effective notch method and the hot spot method were used in the fatigue calculations. The trolley structure was carried out by using the sheet metal parts in order to manufacture the structure as effective and low cost way as possible. The corner stone of the dimensioning of the trolley structure was the utilization of the open profiles made of welded or cold formed sheet metals, which provide better weldability, weld inspection, access for repairs and corrosion protection. As a last part of the thesis a new trolley traveling system was developed. The distribution of the wheel loads of the trolley bogies on the main girder was also studied, which led to an innovative suspension arrangement between the trolley leg and the bogie. The new bogie solution increases the service life of the main girder of the crane and improves the stability of the bogies. The outcome of the thesis is an excellent trolley structure from the weight and the service life point of view.

Finland och dess invånare : af Friedr. Rühs. Ifrån tyskan af R - d. Första delen.

Interfoliated volume with handwritten additions.

Strategic outsourcing of R&D: The location-specific advantages of India to the pharmaceutical industry

Companies are increasingly under pressure to be more efficient both in terms of costs and overall performance and thus, they seek new ways to develop their products and innovate. For pharmaceutical industry it can take several decades to launch a new drug to the markets. Since pharmaceutical industry is one of the most research-intensive industries, is outsourcing one way to enhance the R&D processes of such companies. It is said that outsourcing to offshore locations is vastly more challenging and complicated than any other exporting activity or inter-company relationship that has evoked a lot of discussion. By outsourcing strategically, companies must also thoroughly focus on transaction costs and core competences. Today, the suppliers are looked for beyond national boundaries and furthermore, the location of the outsourcing activity must also be thoroughly considered. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to analyze what is known of strategic outsourcing of pharmaceutical R&D to India. In order to meet the purpose of the study, this study tries to answer three sub-questions set to it: first, what is strategic outsourcing, second, why pharmaceutical companies utilize strategic outsourcing of R&D and last, why pharmaceutical companies select India as the location for outsourcing their R&D. The study is a qualitative study. The purpose of the study was approached by a literature review with systematic elements and sub-questions were analyzed through different relevant theories, such as theory of transaction costs, core competences and location advantages. Applicable academic journal articles were comprehensively included in the study. The data was collected from electronic journal article databases using key words and almost only peer-reviewed, as new as possible articles were included. Also both the reference list of the included articles and article recommendations from professionals generated more articles for inclusion. The data was analyzed through thematization that resulted in themes that illuminate the purpose of the study and sub-questions. As an outcome of the analysis, each of the theory chapters in the study represents one sub-question. The literature used in this study revealed that strategic outsourcing of R&D is increasingly used in pharmaceutical industry and the major motives to practice it has to do with lowering costs, accessing skilled labor, resources and knowledge and enhancing their quality while speeding up the introduction of new drugs. Mainly for the above-mentioned motives India is frequently chosen as the target location for pharma outsourcers. Still, the literature is somewhat incomplete in this complex phenomenon and more research is needed.

Capital Structure and Firm Growth: R&D Intensive Companies

The purpose of this study is to examine and explain firm`s growth impact on capital structure decision-making in research and development intensive companies. Many studies claim that R&D has a pivotal impact on capital structure decisions, but corporate finance theories have often failed to explain these observed patterns. As sales growth is an important concept and objective for R&D firms, it is logical to assume that it plays a vital role in capital structure decisions. This study applies nomothetic research approach. The theoretical part employs a formal conceptual analysis in order to develop the propositions that are tested with empirical data. The empirical part consists of the analysis of three companies; the data is obtained from the annual reports over the period 2003 – 2008. The companies operate in IT- or ICT-industry and are publicly listed. The method for analyzing the case data is based on the financial indicators, which are obtained from the financials of the case companies. These economic indicators describe the capital structure and the financial decision-making of the firms. The method relates to the quantitative studies. Yet, this study extends the analysis beyond the indicators. Specifically, this study addresses the question of what is behind the economic indicators, therefore combining aspects of quantitative and qualitative analysis. The firms examined in this study seem to prefer internal finance during growth. However, external finance seems to be a catalyst for sales growth. Firms strongly prefer equity financing. In growth, the use of equity per capital either increases or stays in a constant level. Over the period 2003 – 2008, the firms were often associated to equity related transactions and short-term debt. Short-term debt was used as a substitute of long-term debt and equity. The case firms also adjusted their capital structure – these adjustments were carried out with short-term debt or equity. The case data also provides implications for the growth signal theory that was developed in this study. Based on the econometric indicators, arguments can be made that equity investors are `attracted` to growing R&D firms. This is because growth helps investors perceive the true type of firm. The findings of this study are best explained by the trade-off theory and the pecking order theory. These corporate finance theories are considered as mainstream. Little support can be found to the implications of the signaling theory and market timing theory.

Project Resource Management in R&D Public Sector Organization

In R&D organizations multiple projects are executed concurrently. Problems arises in managing shared resources since they are needed by multiple projects simultaneously. The objective of this thesis was to study how the project and resource management could be developed in a public sector R&D organization. The qualitative research was carried out in the Magnetic Measurements section at CERN where the section measures magnets for particle accelerators and builds state of the art measurement devices for various needs. Hence, the R&D and measurement projects are very time consuming and very complex. Based on the previous research and the requirements from the organization the best alter- native for resource management was to build a project management information system. A centralized database was constructed and on top of it was built an application for interacting and visualizing the project data. The application allows handling project data, which works as a basis for resource planning before and during the projects are executed. It is one way to standardize the work-flow of projects, which strengthens the project process. Additionally, it was noted that the inner customer’s database, the measurement system and the new application needed to be integrated. Further integration ensures that the project data is received efficiently from customers and available not only within the application but also during the concrete work. The research results introduced a new integrated application, which centralizes the project information flow with better visibility.