Scientist and Director of Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Dr. biol. Jānis Kloviņš, presented the latest progress in sequencing COVID-19 virus, its genome research, analysis of transmission patterns and other research areas. Mr Kloviņš underlined the importance of setting up and maintaining a biobank, an important tool in ensuring that local and international scientific community can benefit from reliable COVID-19 data. He also pointed out that local scientists are responsible for making their input in the global fight against the pandemic, following the example as other world countries.
Infectologist and professor at the University of Latvia, Dr. med. Uga Dumpis, gave an insight into latest developments in terms of better understanding of how COVID-19 spreads through high risk occupations, wastewater, animals and other environments. Endocrinologist and senior researcher at Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Dr. med. Valdis Pīrāgs, presented the latest projects for innovative technologies for stopping COVID-19: indoor air quality monitor, contactless Covid testing hub, COVID-19 saliva sample diagnostic tool, non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure treatment device.
Virologist and senior researcher at Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Dr. biol. Kaspars Tārs, gave an overview about the development of COVID-19 treatment and prevention resources, as well as universal Coronavirus treatment. Scientists have created a patent-worthy lung-on-a-chip device prototype that allows studying the properties of Coronavirus in near real-life conditions and testing of the efficiency of new medicines. Five highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients have been developed and are ready for further studies. Mr Tārs also talked about successful building of Coronavirus vaccine candidates, but, as he underlined, Meldonium-based therapy, which helps heart and prevents damage from oxygen deprivation caused by COVID-19, has also shown good results.
Academic and Vice-Rector for research of the Riga Technical University, Dr. sc. ing. Tālis Juhna, presented a research that focused on technological prototypes for reduced infection risks in hospital setting to make every-day work of hospital staff more convenient. Prototypes included face masks and ergonomic, comfortable, light and easily disposable protective coveralls. Another prototyped product was disinfectant dispenser, which purifies air and increases the time a person can spend in a room equipped with such purifier. Other research produced a prototype of a disinfection meter, disinfectant and surface disinfectant and an autonomous robot for cleaning rooms and surfaces using disinfectant, which does not require the assistance of a human.
After listening to the presentations of the scientists, President of Latvia pointed out that rapid results achieved by local scientists show the immense potential and international competitiveness that Latvian scientists and science sector possess. President Levits also underlined that national research policy is instrumental for the national development - more investments into research equal stronger national development, economic growth and population prosperity. ‘Science is key to unlocking a more rapid growth after the COVID-19 crisis. This should be one of the considerations when deciding on the investments from European Recovery and Resilience Facility. We must invest much more into science,’ said Egils Levits.
Floor was then given to invited economic and innovation experts. They offered their views on transfer of innovation to society and every-day activities, methods for speeding up the delivery of right innovations to make sure people can benefit from scientific developments as quickly as possible.
Under Secretary and Director of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Department of the Ministry of Education and Science, Dmitrijs Stepanovs, pointed out that government has allocated additional 30 million euro for research projects on COVID-19 and in other disciplines of science, including projects implemented by Latvia’s independent scientists.
Līga Meņģelsone, Director General of Employers Confederation of Latvia (LDDK), stressed that research is crucial for government efficiency: ‘If government decisions are not based on findings and support schemes proposed by science, they will be based more on political considerations and discussions rather than practical debate – that is what we will end up having’. She also mentioned the problem of science being underfunded and underappreciated, which hurts the public image of scientists. ‘Science and business should go hand in hand. We must invest more in science, given its huge development potential and significance for sustainable development of Latvia,’ Līga Meņģelsone explained. LDDK’s Director General also said that Latvia needs to facilitate stronger cooperation between universities and scientific institutions, because current research on COVID-19 may be useful also in future in charting the development path for medicine.
Arnis Sauka, professor at Stockholm School for Economics in Riga and Director of Centre for Sustainable Business, urged to consider the continuity of research generated during and in relation to COVID-19. Sustainability potential of such research needs to be recognised to ensure these projects have easier access to funding for prototyping. Professor Sauka also suggested that more funding and resources should go into creating additional professor-level positions, which would enhance research and scientific development. He also mentioned the need to promote achievements of our scientists more actively to the society.
Linda Helmane, Executive Director of the Foreign Investors’ Council in Latvia, urged to pay greater focus on communication between government, experts and society and business owners. This would make sure everyone understands what government has decided and intends to do. It would also help communicate these decisions in a more comprehendible way.
Economist Pēteris Strautiņš praised Latvian scientists for their achievements, especially the high level of technical sophistication. He also proposed to consider where science is headed at the national level to makes sure its development is aligned with economic growth. According to Mr Strautiņš, science, research and industry development should altogether benefit from higher funding intensity. It should be recognised as policy priority and be integrated into higher education development plans.
Reinis Āzis, Deputy Director of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency for Investment Policy, underlined that it is important to strengthen the cooperation between businesses and research centres. ‘We know that we can produce world class innovations – we just need the right financial support for commercial application of these inventions. Moreover, commercialisation of research is crucial for overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and also supporting the development of our national economy,’ said Mr Āzis.
Reinis Bērziņš, Chairman of the Management Board, ALTUM, echoed Mr Āzis’ position and underlined that commercialisation of technological innovations should be efficiently converted to profitable and national growth-oriented products.
Dr. phys. Andris Anspoks, researcher and external adviser of the Prime Minister for science and innovation, said that research projects delivered under national research programme should have strong emphasis on sustainability and promote cooperation between top international scientists. That would significantly boost the research process. Andris Anspoks also made comments about commercialisation – there should be plugins for research with high market potential, especially research conducted here in Latvia. Political will is needed to support the commercialisation and continuity of national research programme, Prime Minister’s adviser added.
In conclusion, President of Latvia thanked all participants of the discussion for their valuable input and underlined that our progress towards greater prosperity largely depends on good education, financially sustainable science and innovations that are implemented in close cooperation with various sectors of the economy.