class handouts 'business aspects of biotechnology'

Aim of the course is to familiarize students with characteristics and trends of the biotechnology sector. The business economical side of the applications of biotechnology like their commercialization and funding will be highlighted.

The course is divided in several parts: history and profile of the sector, business models, financing biotech companies, current and future development, biotechnology and the government,... Not only the characteristics of mature companies will be examined, but also the relevant aspects of young, starting biotechnological companies and emergin technologies will be considered. Problems and opportunities concerning intellectual property and its application in a high-tech sector like biotechnology will be discussed. This course will be followed by students in Business engineering and students in bio-engineering.

The course material is used within the univeristy context for the course 'business aspects of biotechnology', and in the Postgraduate Program 'Business and Biotechnology'.