From Lab to Market: Mastering Tech Transfer, Partnerships and Vaccine Innovation

How does a scientific discovery move from a petri dish to a product that transforms lives? This was the central question behind “From Lab to Market”, a dynamic 2.5 days training program hosted at the Institut Pasteur de Tunis. Focused on equipping researchers and innovators with tools to translate academic breakthroughs into tangible health solutions, the training brought together national and international experts to explore the journey of vaccine development, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.

Day 1: Setting the Stage for Innovation

The training opened with a warm welcome by Professor Samia Menif, General Director of the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, who reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to nurturing local innovation ecosystems.

A highlight of the day was the keynote by Sameh Ben Tkhayet from the National Medicines and Health Products Agency (ANMPS). Her presentation delivered a thought-provoking overview of Tunisia’s vaccine development landscape — from infrastructure needs to regulatory challenges — sparking crucial dialogue among participants.

Following this, Sotiris Missailidis, Head of the Vaccine Innovation Development Department at the Institut Pasteur, introduced the fundamentals of vaccine development. His session provided valuable context for the rest of the course, connecting the dots between science, strategy, and societal impact.

Day 2: Bridging Science and Business

The second day delved deeper into technology transfer and the entrepreneurial mindset required to navigate the innovation pipeline. Pursuing his innovative insights, Sotiris Missailidis guided participants through the process of evaluating scientific assets, understanding the basics of start-up creation, and shaping product and service offers.

Topics such as market positioning, competitive analysis, and licensing models were explored in depth, giving attendees practical insights into how ideas evolve into viable ventures.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to vaccine production and therapeutic innovation — a critical phase in translating laboratory discoveries into accessible health interventions. This session highlighted the importance of aligning scientific progress with production capabilities and regulatory pathways.

Day 3: The Power of Tech Transfer

The final day was fully dedicated to the technology transfer process — the crucial link that transforms academic knowledge into real-world impact.

Pascale Jordan from the Institut Pasteur joined remotely to provide a comprehensive overview of IP protection, partnership structures, and the strategic role public research institutions play in driving innovation forward.

The session was enriched by Oussama Ben Fadhel, who offered an institutional perspective tailored to the Tunisian context, shedding light on local mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities in tech transfer. His intervention opened a dialogue on how national ecosystems can better support innovation readiness and knowledge valorization.

Empowering Innovation through Knowledge Sharing

“From Lab to Market” was more than a training — it was a strategic capacity-building initiative, equipping participants with the skills and insights needed to navigate the complex journey from scientific idea to market-ready product.

At the heart of the program was a shared belief: innovation doesn’t stop at discovery — it starts there.

As part of the VISION project’s broader mission, this training exemplifies how fostering knowledge exchange, supporting local researchers, and building bridges between science, business, and policy can pave the way for a stronger, more self-reliant health innovation ecosystem in the region.