In this Behind SafeTouch: Meet the Consortium episode, we speak with Konstantina Karamanou, former representative of the Hellenic BioCluster (HBIO), about how the project’s innovation, IP, and market strategy come together to maximise impact.
HBIO’s role in SafeTouch is to act as an innovation moderator: connecting industry and academia, shaping outreach to scientific and non-scientific audiences, and supporting the path from research results to market opportunities. In the interview, Karamanou explains why early intellectual property (IP) planning and exploitation strategy are essential for a multi-partner project: they help avoid legal conflicts, clarify ownership, and guide decisions on what to patent, what to share openly or standardise, and what to commercialise. She also outlines how stakeholder mapping and market analysis inform target segments and partnerships for effective market entry.
Key takeaways
- Innovation moderation: HBIO bridges research and industry to ensure results reach the right audiences, from peers and practitioners to policymakers and potential business partners.
- Early IP & exploitation: Defining protection and use of results upfront reduces friction later and supports a clear route to impact.
- Stakeholders & markets: Systematic mapping of stakeholders and market needs helps prioritise customer segments and collaboration pathways.
- Who benefits: The work aims to create value for academia (including young researchers), large industry and open-source communities, policymakers, and civil society.
Watch the full interview with Konstantina to learn more on how HBIO shapes IP and market pathways.
This interview is part of the Behind SafeTouch: Meet the Consortium video series, where we introduce the people and expertise shaping this innovative project
