Linkages between bio-innovation, knowledge production and policy

1. Introduction
There is probably no better example of the necessary interaction between scientific and technological research and innovation than biotechnology. The following statement from Chris Freeman could have been inspired by life sciences related innovation:
… what is at issue is the ability of a national science and technology system to make use of the results of world science to advance national technology. It is certainly the case that it is impossible to understand and assimilate new advances in many branches of science without an active participation in the world scientific community. Moreover, it is also the case that the interdependence of science and technology is increasing and some of the most important generic new technologies are intimately related to basic science (Freeman 1987: 30).
Bio-innovation, that is, the ensemble of new products and services derived from the exploitation of new knowledge in life sciences, can be included in what current literature terms a sectoral systems of innovation. (more…)