Organized by the School of Engineering at Universidad ORT Uruguay, the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Center (CBI+I), the Pando Science and Technology Park, and the Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU).
The event, designated as being of interest by the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC), brought together representatives from the academic, business, and entrepreneurial sectors, establishing itself as the leading forum for biotechnology in the country.
The forum took place from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a program that included keynote speeches, thematic panels, and networking opportunities.
The event was organized by the Department of Biotechnology at the School of Engineering of Universidad ORT Uruguay was supported by various institutions and corporate sponsors.
Institutional Openness: A Shared Vision for the Future
The opening ceremony was led by Eduardo Mangarelli, dean of the School of Engineering; Lucila Arboleya, president of LATU; and Bruno Gili, director of the Uruguay Innova program.
Mangarelli emphasized the importance of building a robust biotechnology ecosystem that brings together universities, industry, and startups:
“The development of a thriving sector requires an ecosystem. Part of the purpose of this event is to get to know one another, connect, and build networks.”
Arboleya highlighted the role of LATU and the Innovation Park as spaces where academia, the business community, and the productive sector come together:
“The future is right here. There are many people and organizations willing to invest in biotechnology, a sector that changes people’s lives.”
For his part, Giri emphasized the need for public policies that keep pace with the sector’s evolving landscape and challenges, noting that Uruguay Innova is working to remove obstacles and promote life sciences and biotechnology.
Science, Industry, and Entrepreneurship: The Ecosystem in Action
The first part of the forum, under the theme “Where is biotechnology being developed?”, brought together insights from various institutions that promote research and development in the country.
Dr. Francisco Carrau, from the School of Chemistry at the University of the Republic, gave a keynote address on the potential of biotechnology in the food industry.
Later, a roundtable discussion on innovation was held, during which experts discussed Uruguay’s opportunities to position itself as a regional hub for biotechnology by integrating capabilities in health, manufacturing, food, and sustainability.
Inspiring biotech startups
The startup session highlighted Uruguayan startups that are already making an impact with biotechnology-based solutions. The teams shared insights on their development, validation, and scaling, underscoring the dynamism of the local ecosystem.
A closing ceremony marked by emotion and commitment
The forum concluded with remarks by Gustavo Domínguez, manager of Latitud, and Carlos “Toto” Sanguinetti, academic coordinator of Biotechnology.
Domínguez thanked the organizing teams and reaffirmed the commitment of LATU and the Innovation Park to initiatives of this kind: “It is an honor to have hosted this event here. We are filled with pride to see this auditorium full.”
"We reaffirm our commitment to serving as a bridge between innovation and development, a meeting place where ideas are transformed into solutions and help build a better country."
For his part, Sanguinetti shared an emotional message as he looked back on the forum’s growth since its first edition and the history of biotechnology at ORT:
“Three years ago, we launched an initiative called Biotech Conecta, and seeing this auditorium full today is a testament to how far we’ve come. What we’re experiencing today is a snapshot of everything we’ve accomplished over the past 15 years, and I’m incredibly proud.”
The event concluded with a thank-you to the exhibitors, panelists, and startups who shared their experiences, and with an invitation to continue strengthening this forum for dialogue and collaboration, which positions Uruguay as a regional leader in biotechnology innovation.
https://youtu.be/uC__gb04YPY