Standardization, IPRs and Open Innovation in Synthetic Biology

Timo Minssen, and Jakob B. Wested. “Standardization, IPRs and Open Innovation in Synthetic Biology.” Innovation, Competition and Collaboration. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015. 34–66. Web.

20 Pages Posted: 16 Feb 2014 Last revised: 21 Jul 2020

See all articles by Timo Minssen

Timo Minssen

University of Copenhagen - Centre for Advanced Studies in Biomedical Innovation Law (CeBIL) - Faculty of Law

Jakob Wested

Centre for Advanced Studies in Biomedical Innovation Law (CeBIL); University of Copenhagen; Danish Medicines Agency

Date Written: June 26, 2015

Abstract

Innovation finds itself embedded in an expanding milieu of openness these days, which is closely connected to the increase in knowledge flows across traditional boundaries of scientific disciplines, geography, languages, businesses, institutions, markets, professions and subjects. The general concept of openness assumes many forms and variations depending on the context. The idea of openness has also found its way to the emerging technological area of synthetic biology (SB). SB applies the principles of engineering – abstraction, decoupling and standardization – to the study of biology. This includes the design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems, and the re-design of existing natural biological systems. Due to recent advances in nanotechnology, automated strain engineering, protein modification, DNA synthesis, and related technical standards, these activities rapidly boost both the sophistication and scope of genetically encoded functions. This enhances the development of complex integrated biological systems that can be customized to optimize various industrial, medical, or agricultural applications. Spurred by the great promises of SB, public and private investments in SB have increased dramatically. Meanwhile, the inherent dangers of this technology, as well as the numerous scientific, socio-economic, ethical, regulatory, and legal challenges posed by SB, remain a multifaceted conundrum. One of the many different legal issues concerns the questions of how to best enhance the scientific advances of SB and how to best stimulate and govern its translational exploitation towards useful applications.

Keywords: standardization, open innovation, synthetic biology, intellectual property rights

Suggested Citation

Minssen, Timo and Wested, Jakob, Standardization, IPRs and Open Innovation in Synthetic Biology (June 26, 2015). Timo Minssen, and Jakob B. Wested. “Standardization, IPRs and Open Innovation in Synthetic Biology.” Innovation, Competition and Collaboration. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015. 34–66. Web. , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2153957 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2153957

Timo Minssen (Contact Author)

University of Copenhagen - Centre for Advanced Studies in Biomedical Innovation Law (CeBIL) - Faculty of Law ( email )

Karen Blixens Plads 16
Copenhagen, 2300
Denmark
+46 708 607517 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://jura.ku.dk/cebil/staff/profile/?pure=en/persons/381631

Jakob Wested

Centre for Advanced Studies in Biomedical Innovation Law (CeBIL) ( email )

Karen Blixens Plads 16
København S, 2300
Denmark

University of Copenhagen ( email )

Karen Blixens Plads 16
København S, 2300
Denmark

Danish Medicines Agency ( email )

Axel Heides Gade 1
Copenhagen S, 2300
Denmark
2300 (Fax)

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