Mart Saarma

 Mart Saarma is the President of the Estonian Academy of Sciences and one of Estonia’s most internationally recognised scientists. He is a distinguished neuroscientist, renowned for his pioneering research on neurotrophic factors and their role in neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease.

He has had a distinguished international academic career and currently serves as Research Director at the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Helsinki. He has also actively contributed to innovation in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors and is the founder or co-founder of several biotech companies, including Mobidiag, Herantis Pharma, GeneCode and ERresQ.

As President of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Saarma advocates for excellence in research, evidence-based policymaking and stronger links between science, innovation and economic development.

“From Bench to Bedside – A Bumpy Road”

In the presentation, Dr. Saarma discusses general problems related to the application of academic research results at universities. He will touch on problems related to patenting, licensing, and the formation of start-up companies. He will also share his personal experience by presenting two cases: firstly, the Mobidiag Ltd. case on modern medical diagnostics, a case that achieved a successful exit; and then the Herantis Pharma Plc. case, which deals with drug development for neurodegenerative diseases.