BOZ RLM Technopole 2030: High Tech Lab for Responsible Research and Innovation at the service of diseases ‘without a cure’

IRET Foundation, the managing body of the Bologna-Ozzano “Rita Levi-Montalcini” Technopole, covers a surface area of 750 square metres on an area of 10,000 square metres. The project involves the construction of a new infrastructure and the purchase of scientific equipment. The structural intervention adds an articulated system of more than 600 square metres of overall covered surface area, enhances the ‘laboratory’ spaces and provides the centre with a single-floor ‘hexagonal’ space, recalling the Technopole’s purple logo, to host meetings, seminars and conferences. In addition, an area dedicated to ‘cognitive wellness’ – the Technopole’s flagship project and a key concept for the Emilia-Romagna Region – is to be integrated.

As a technological innovation, the implementation of advanced microscopy is planned with the acquisition of an ‘Automated light sheet imaging of large samples’ instrumentation and a series of instruments for the automated in-cage analysis of numerous phenotypic data to monitor the health status of animals (in order to reduce the number of animals to be included in experiments).

The project as a whole envisages the 100% power supply of the new infrastructure from renewable sources and a reduction and then total offsetting of CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions through a certified carbon offset project, with the planting of the vacant area owned by IRET and the creation of a green area (‘zero footprint’ science lab).

Duration: 36 months, from 25/06/2024 to 24/06/2027

The total cost of the project is € 1.875.000, 00 of which 80% (€ 1.500.000, 00) Emilia-Romagna European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme 2021-2027, Action 1.1.4

Health Industry as a driver of territorial development: a role for the Technopole of Bologna – Ozzano dell’Emilia “Rita Levi-Montalcini” site

The project for the management of the Technopole of Bologna-Ozzano “Rita Levi-Montalcini” 2023-2025 aims, on the one hand, to make the ‘ordinary’ activities (counter activities, orientation, communication) more and more effective, and, on the other hand, to launch a series of strategic projects that will contribute to achieve the following results:

• consolidating the Technopole’s position at national and international level as a point of reference for access to the regional innovation ecosystem;
• assessing and developing strategic partnerships with companies;
• strengthen the overall value proposition by setting ambitious goals such as contributing to the birth of the first Italian ecosystem on Alzheimer’s disease;
• improve the ability to dialogue with all stakeholders on health and wellbeing issues;
• making a concrete contribution to the fight against climate change and the transition to a circular economy, developing the theme of ‘sustainable healthcare’ also in terms of acquiring new skills and dedicated tools. All this is being developed according to a nonprofit scheme that provides for the total reinvestment of any positive operating margin in favour of research and innovation, while taking care of the sustainability of the initiatives through prudent planning.

Duration: 30 months, from 01/01/2023 to 30/06/2025

The total cost of the project is € 599.978,20 of which 50% (€ 299.989,10) will be covered by the Emilia-Romagna European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme 2021-2027, Action 1.1.7.