Wormex presented its progress in the development of its liquid biostimulant at Expo Uruguay Sostenible
Wormexliquid biostimulant project for a more sustainable agriculture, and the Science Parkwere present at the Sustainable Uruguay Expowhich took place between June 4 and 7 at the Antel Arena. Wormex, which is currently in the development phase (pre-prototype), represents another example of the potential of innovation in Uruguay to provide solutions with an impact on the agricultural sector.
From 2023, Wormex has benefited from the advice of the Science Park, through its Innovation Acceleration Model, MAI®The project has grown from the stage when his initiative was just an idea to the pre-prototype of the current biostimulant. Support from the Science Park has included Strategic Surveillance, intellectual property advice, prototyping and R&D project management; itself. The development has been carried out under open innovation; where the role of the Science Park has been key for the articulation and linkage of Wormex with local technological partners, such as the Clemente Estable Institute for Biological Research (IIBCE) and the private laboratory SOSEI.
The first stage of Wormex's development was supported by the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII) using the "Tools for Innovation" instrument (HPI_ HPI_ HPI_X_2023_1_179671). This first stage not only allowed the technical validation of the idea of developing the Wormex biostimulant, but also represented the first experience of linkage between the company and the Academy, with highly positive results. Currently, the company is advancing in the next stages of the development, adding to the articulation other key technological actors such as the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA)The objective is to evaluate the agronomic efficacy of the biostimulant in greenhouses and in the field, and thus bring the technological solution closer to the market and the agricultural sector in general.
From the Science Park, it is a great encouragement to see how a project that began as an idea that has been accompanied by our innovation management tools, is now exhibited as a tangible reality, in an event of national scope.
Wormex's presence at Expo Uruguay Sostenible was made possible thanks to the European Union's Inspyrame 2.0 Program, implemented by the Uruguayan Chamber of Commerce and Services.
The importance of an innovation district for the country's development
At the international level and with the objective of promoting economic and social development based on science and technology, different associative models have been designed and implemented for decades, particularly in developed countries.
These models include Science Parks, Innovation Zones, Clusters, and Innovation Districts, among others, in particular the Innovation districts are geographic areas that promote collaborative dynamics between public, national and departmental sectors, private actors, research centers, promotion institutions, international organizations and investors.
In Uruguay, for more than a year, the Municipality of Canelones, the Municipality of Montevideo, the Science Park, Zonamerica and the Science and Technology Park of Pando have been working on the design of an Innovation District within the triangle defined by routes 101, 102 and 8.
The creation of the innovation district in the metropolitan area will boost the knowledge economy and strengthen the connection between the productive sector and science, generating economic growth and impact on the development of the territory in which it is inserted.
Successful models and lessons for Uruguay
In recent years, Latin America has also begun to generate these areas of innovation, for example, the ".Route N" in Medellín, Colombia or the District of Porto Digital, in Pernambuco, Brazilhave shown that synergy between the public, private and academic sectors is key to generating environments conducive to innovation. Medellin, for example, transformed its productive matrix thanks to investment in science and technology, promoting technology-based entrepreneurship and attracting global talent.
In Uruguay, the Science Park has more than 10 years of experience in public-private articulation, developing capacities for the country, generating R&D&I projects between the productive sector and academia, working under internationally recognized standards that maximize the probability of success of the projects that are managed, being also a member of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP).
His valuable experience in the regional innovation ecosystem positions him as a key player to lead R&D&I projects between companies and research centers in the future Metropolitan Innovation District.
The impact on the region
The consolidation of this Innovation District in Uruguay will generate multiple benefits. First, it will facilitate the transfer of knowledge from academia to industry, promoting strategic sectors such as biotechnology, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence. In addition, it will foster greater interaction between companies located in free trade zones and the national productive sector, as well as collaboration in research and development projects driven by the demands of international companies. At the same time, it will attract foreign investment and boost skilled employment, providing new opportunities for professionals and entrepreneurs in the region.
Likewise, the development of this ecosystem will promote decentralization, allowing innovation to be concentrated not only in the departmental capital. The metropolitan area has the potential to continue positioning itself as a technological development zone, taking advantage of its growing infrastructure and proximity to the capital. In contrast to other models concentrated in private environments, where benefits are often not effectively linked to the local productive fabric, this district seeks to generate shared value from the outset. Moreover, from the Science Park proposes a collaborative logic in which each ecosystem player develops specialized capabilities. by theme, avoiding unnecessary overlapping and focusing on generating real synergies. The challenge, then, is to promote a policy at the country level that can be aligned with this collaborative vision, recognizing that the effectiveness of the ecosystem lies precisely in its intelligent articulation and shared purpose.
A key step in this direction was taken on April 9 with the Co-Creation Workshop: "Vision of the Near Future for the Metropolitan Innovation District". This instance marked a milestone in the collective construction of the project, where key actors of the Uruguayan Innovation system participated, in what could be considered the cornerstone of the future district.
Challenges and next steps
To ensure the success of the Metropolitan Innovation DistrictIn order to achieve this, it is essential to have a clear development strategy and a sound governance model that promotes collaboration among all stakeholders. This implies investing in technological infrastructure and mobility solutionsEstablish incentives for the establishment of companies and the financing of R&D&I projects, as well as design specialized training programs that respond to the needs of the ecosystem. In the same way, it is essential to implement facilitation mechanisms at both the national and departmental levels, so that each initiative finds the institutional support it needs to grow.. These elements, worked on in a coordinated waywill be decisive for the to consolidate an innovative, dynamic and sustainable environment.
The future Metropolitan Innovation District represents a great opportunity for the region. With proper planning and the accumulated knowledge of institutions such as the Science Park, the business sector and local governments, it is possible to build a sustainable model that will drive long-term economic and social development.
Innovating with global quality: reaching a new milestone
The Pando Science and Technology Park proudly announces that it has been awarded the ISO 56001 certification in innovation management systems, awarded by AENOR the past April 22nd. With this achievement, the Science Park has become the America's first science park in meeting the highest international standards for innovation management.
The ISO 56001 is the first certifiable international standard for innovation management. It establishes the requirements and guidelines for create, implement, maintain and improve an innovation management system, with the objective of enhancing the capacity of organizations to generate innovative solutions in a sustained manner. Its scope covers organizations of any size and sectoroffering a systematic approach based on global best practices to foster and manage innovation.
The certification process was accompanied by AENOR , Spanish Association for Standardization and Certificationwhich validated the compliance of the Science Park's management system with the requirements of ISO 56001. This recognition brings credibility and recognition customers, partners and investors, while at the same time reinforcing the confidence of all stakeholders in our ability to manage R&D&I projects with criteria of excellence.
This milestone adds to a long road in the professionalization of research and innovation. At April 2019 with the support of the Andean Development Cooperation (CAF).the Park was the world's only science park certified under the standards UNE 166002 (R&D&I management) and UNE 166006 (surveillance and intelligence), laying the foundations for an innovation ecosystem with European standards.
The expansion of our certifications strengthens not only the competitive position of the Science Park, but of the country as a whole, by promoting a more efficient and effective more efficient and sustainable management of R&D&I projects. In addition, the innovation certification allows the systematization of activities and the reduction of uncertainty in processes, contributing to a more dynamic environment conducive to scientific and technological development.
Working under international standards promotes the effectiveness, efficiency and strategic scope of each initiative, generating greater value for companies, researchers and institutions linked to R&D&I and enhancing the capacity of organizations to generate innovative solutions in a sustained manner.
With this new recognition, the Pando Scientific and Technological Park reaffirms its mission of to promote an innovative UruguayWe offer our community a robust framework for transforming ideas into impactful solutions.
From the lab to the table
The company LOTO developed a pre-prototype of kefir ice cream with the support of the Science Park, betting on functional foods with an impact on health and industry.
The Pando Science and Technology Park accompanied, together with the Technological University (UTEC), the closing of the first stage of a new development in functional foods from LOTOa Uruguayan company dedicated to the production and marketing of milk kefir-based products. The project, co-financed by the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII) through the so-called Tools for Innovation 2023The company sought to develop the first proof of concept of a kefir ice cream oriented to people with specific nutritional requirements and also to a wider public interested in healthy options.
Kefir, known for its probiotic properties and its benefits for the immune, digestive and metabolic systems, represents an opportunity for innovation in the domestic food industry. With this initiative, LOTO not only positions itself as a pioneer in the development of this type of product in the region, but also strengthens its technical and strategic capabilities to move towards new stages of development and internationalization. The pre-prototype ice cream -which extends the shelf life of the original product and allows better logistics management- is a commitment to diversify the supply of functional foods in the national and regional market, with a scientific basis.
The Science Park supported the initiative by providing strategic services that included technological and commercial surveillance studies, project design and management, coordination with UTEC and support in applying for financing instruments. This integral work method, focused on open innovation and the connection between diverse actors, allows transforming ideas into viable products, articulating knowledge, management capacity, infrastructure and business vision.
The experience reaffirms the role of the Science Park as a key partner in the development of life sciences projects, particularly in initiatives that require integrating technical, regulatory and commercial dimensions from early stages. Cases such as LOTO demonstrate that it is possible to advance in complex projects through agile methodologies, specialized support and effective links with the national and international scientific-technological system.
This type of experience not only strengthens the innovation capacity of small, medium and large companies, but also contributes to the positioning of the country as a generator of differential solutions based on knowledge. The Science Park continues to promote projects that connect science and production, with an impact on the competitiveness of industries and, in the case of LOTO, directly on the welfare of society.
From some success stories to an Innovative Uruguay
Note developed for the supplement CANELONES PRODUCTIVO, Caras & Caretas, 2025
Uruguay has cemented its development in key sectors such as livestock, agribusiness, logistics and trade, where innovation has a fundamental role to play. Examples such as biotechnological developments applied in the agricultural sector, the development of renewable energies and the optimization of processes in the meat industry show how Canelones has been a protagonist in this process in the Life Sciences.
Despite the existence of various initiatives that promote innovation in the country, many have emerged as a function of interest groups, specific access to economic resources or particular leaderships. However, the lack of a strong and deep articulation among them has prevented the consolidation of a cohesive ecosystem with a common national strategy.
To achieve a real and sustained impact, it is essential that the system fosters synergy among the country's different actors. This must start from an integrated national development strategy, as without a structured and collaborative approach, progress will remain fragmented and limited in scope. Some success stories will not change Uruguay's GDP.
As the well-known phrase goes, if we want to obtain different results, we cannot keep doing the same thing. However, changing a country's innovation culture is still a challenge. In Uruguay, we continue to reflect and talk about innovation, but the real impact will come when we manage to turn those ideas into action.
Innovation cannot emerge as an individual effort, but as a collective process. It is the country as a whole that innovates or else we will continue to see isolated and exceptional cases. Innovation in Life Sciences is an interconnected ecosystem where knowledge generators, companies, incentives, intellectual property, regulatory frameworks, foreign trade, capital markets and investment policies, to mention a few, must be strategically aligned. It is a great chain, where the vectors must point in the same direction, to join forces and move forward with focus towards the objective.
In this context, the Science Park plays a key role in connecting science with the productive sector. Its work has made it possible to transform knowledge into economic and social development, promoting collaboration between academia and business.
Strategically located in the heart of Canelones, a key department in the productive development of the country, the park not only offers specialized infrastructure, but also promotes Research and Development projects with an open innovation approach for companies and projects throughout the region. Technology-based companies related to chemistry and life sciences find in the Park a strategic ally for the development of products and processes, accessing a vast network of researchers, methodological tools and support in the management and valorization of projects.
The Science Park, applying internationally recognized methodologies, promotes the connection between science and production, consolidating itself as a strategic partner for the deployment of a national innovation strategy.
Presentation of the new MIEM team at the Science Park
Last Thursday, January 22, the Science and Technology Park of Pando was visited by President-elect Yamandú Orsi, together with the Secretary of the Presidency, Alejandro Sánchez, and the Deputy Secretary, Jorge Díaz, who, together with the future Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Fernanda Cardona, presented the team that will accompany her in her administration as of March 1.
Orsi, who during his term as Mayor of Canelones, was for a time the director of the Science Park, supported the future Minister Cardona, who emphasized "...the importance of the Science Park for the development of the region.the importance of these spaces as an example of collaboration between research, development and innovation, supported by academia, the business sector and the State.".
From the Science Park, we celebrate this meeting as a new opportunity to consolidate strategic alliances between the government, the academic sector and the productive sector, in pursuit of a more competitive, innovative and sustainable Uruguay.
The reality of projects in Life Sciences. The path from an idea to its realization
Note developed for the December 2024 issue of Indufarma magazine.
In the Life Sciences area, research, development and innovation (R&D&I) projects represent one of the greatest promises for growth and progress. However, this potential goes hand in hand with a series of intrinsic challenges, ranging from the definition of clear objectives to the successful implementation of ideas, including the management of time, resources and risks. This complex but fascinating scenario requires comprehensive strategies to turn initial concepts into concrete results.
The Pando Science and Technology Park has established itself as a key player in this process, offering specialized support that accompanies companies in all stages of their R&D&I projects. With a practical and personalized approach, the Park works in the encounter between science and the productive sector, connecting researchers, technical resources and expertise with the specific needs of the productive sector and society as a whole. This model has allowed complex projects to move forward, overcoming barriers that often hinder innovation.
Life Science projects not only require advanced technical expertise, but also a strategic planning capacity that integrates decision making, taking into account complex information not only from the technical, but also commercial, legal and regulatory, competitive, etc., and the management of risks associated with this type of initiative. Defining achievable objectives, aligning the interests of technological and business partners, articulating the roles of the participants, developing schedules adjusted to technical and market times and ensuring the efficient allocation of resources are critical aspects that make the difference between a successful project and one that falls by the wayside. In this context, the Science Park stands out for its management capacity and experience in articulating diverse interests and leveling expectations among the parties involved, promoting a collaborative environment that is fundamental for success.
A clear example of this synergy is the work carried out with SEGENA CORPORATION S.A., a Uruguayan technology-based company dedicated to the development of innovative immunostimulant molecules, with potential application as active ingredients in drugs for human and animal health applications. With the support of the Science Park, SEGENA has successfully executed co-development projects with academia, particularly with the University of the Republic. In addition, it has used the services of the Park's Technical and Financial Management of Projects, as well as Surveillance and Strategic Intelligence.
Another outstanding case is that of Loto, a pioneering company in Uruguay in the production and marketing of milk kefir-based food products. With the support of the Park, Loto not only developed new products, but also strengthened its innovation strategy through access to key services such as strong technological surveillance, design thinking and prototyping. This venture is preparing to continue growing, stepping firmly on its innovation strategy.
Over the years, the Science Park has accumulated valuable experience in the management of projects related to Life Sciences, addressing challenges with an open innovation approach that combines a strong knowledge base of the project environment, high linkage capabilities and monitoring tools with strategic flexibility. This approach allows adapting the methodology to the specific needs of each company and technology partner, seeking results aligned with their objectives. In addition, the Park offers a working model where companies can access a collaboration network that includes the most relevant organizations of the innovation ecosystem in Uruguay.
In an increasingly globalized world, where scientific and technological advances set the pace for economic development, the Science Park is positioned as an indispensable partner for companies wishing to strengthen their competitiveness based on the incorporation of knowledge. Its ability to anticipate trends, identify opportunities and provide customized solutions makes it a key player in the sustainable development of industry in Uruguay.
Projects related to Life Sciences have an enormous potential impact on our lives, being an engine of innovation and development, especially in a country with a productive matrix such as ours. However, in order to carry out their potential, it is essential to have strategic allies that not only understand the technical complexity of these projects, but also manage to put on the table and analyze the different aspects involved and manage the challenges that these projects entail.
The Pando Science and Technology Park will continue to play a crucial role in this challenge, helping to build an ecosystem where science, technology and innovation work hand in hand to create a positive impact on society.