Consortium

Saint Joseph University

One of the leading health research institutions in Lebanon and the Middle East region – USJ - with its Medical Genetics Unit (UGM) has highly qualified researchers, attested by a publications list of more than 250 articles. The medical genetics pole of the USJ is established in partnership with other organisations of the North region: the Damascus University (Syria), the Yarmouk University (Jordan), the Pasteur Institute of Tunisia the Sfax University (Tunisia), and the Montpellier I and II Universities (France). Schools have been set up in January 2004, Mars 2005, and May 2006. 75 students, coming from the Middle East region (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria), Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia) and North countries followed the course and the practical exercises. USJ is particularly active in research and development in the field fully relevant to the FP7 thematic priority Health – High-throughput research, Translational research in major infectious diseases: to confront major threats to public health, Health promotion. In addition to the strong research capacities of the USJ, the University has been closely collaborating with its EU twinning partner UnivMed for many years now. The common research topics with UnivMed, covering different scientific fields of health, and the will to strengthen this already started hand-in-hand collaboration, brings the Lebanese university to take the coordination of the LEB‘IN project. Furthermore, USJ is involved in the Technology Pole HEALTH (―Pôle Technologie Santé‖), aiming to help young researchers and graduates, bearing ideas and projects, to create start-ups with possible incubation in Berytech. The LEB‘IN project will help the reinforcement of this scientific infrastructure, involving more young scientists and increasing visibility of this opportunity. The Coordinator strongly believes in the opportunities that the LEB‘IN project will offer for strengthening the EULebanon research cooperation and in particular the Scientific capacities of USJ in the health research.

Aix Marseille University (AMU)

At the door of Mediterranean sea, AMU wants to reinforce its collaborations with other universities form this geographical area. Cooperation with USJ is already started a number of years ago, and the reinforced cooperation with USJ, in the context of LEB‘IN project will allow the emergence of new projects in the field of health. It will also allow the exchange of researchers, students, to study specific aspects of the researchers. As a Mediterranean city, Marseille, and AMU, have a great interest in building and reinforcing their cooperation with Lebanon.

Inno TSD

One of Europe‘s leading consultancy firms in innovation and economic development, specialising in particular on strategic development of S&T organisations & commercialisation of R&D results. Has particular focus on international R&D collaboration and EECA countries. Experienced FP7 trainer and coach of EECA partners willing to strengthen their links with European Research Area. During the last year 2009, inno supported 23 scientific organisations from EECA countries; 23 proposals with involvement of these organisations were submitted for FP7 programme. References include over 10 recent FP6-FP7 projects (as coordinator or partner): JEWEL (―Jordan Europe Wide Enhanced Research Links in iCT‖, covered under ERA-WIDE), SUCCESS (―Strengthening Ukraine and EU research cooperation in the field of Material Sciences‖, funded under ERA-WIDE), ISTOK-SOYUZ, (covering most of the EECA countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Lebanon, Central Asia...), EUCLID (collaboration between EU and Indian research organisations), SEMIDEC (collaboration between EU and Russian research organisations), ACCESSRU (access to Russian R&D funding for EU researchers) and others. Inno will provide the two twinning project partners with its extensive know-how in the research partnership building and its hands-on support.

Berytech

The 30-month LEB‘IN project seeks to enhance Lebanon‘s capacities in terms of research activities. As a Technology Pole support the health industry, Berytech is uniquely positioned to understand what is at stake. By improving health links between local stakeholders and European counterparts, we can positively impact the socio-economic landscape of Lebanon, allowing opportunities for economic growth, which is the mandate of Berytech as a not for- profit Incubator and Business Development Center. Thanks to an outstanding track record in supporting startups and SMEs in the health and technology sectors, we are recognized as a substantial stakeholder in Lebanon‘s economic growth. Through our previous experience in managing EU-funded projects on the one hand as well as conducting training and capacity building on the other, while supporting the health sector all throughout, we can efficiently provision the following activities in the scope of this project: Support & Promotion of program; Organization and hosting of workshops and training involving all logistical aspects; Sourcing of experts; Support in the organization of delegation tours and all around logistics; Support in mapping socio-economic needs; Support, incubation, and commercialization of any research resulting from this program.