FOUNDATION VISION FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE “SCIENCE – BUSINESS COOPERATION” MARCH 10TH, 2017, TRADE CENTER EUROPE, ,

THE EXAMPLLE OF THE JOINT GENOMIC CENTER FOUNDATION VISION FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE “SCIENCE – BUSINESS CO-OPERATION” MARCH 10TH, 2017, TRADE CENTER EUROPE, SOFIA, BULGARIA

A FLAGSHIP FOR NEW BIOECONOMY IN BULGARIA

Акад. Атанас Атанасов1, Горица Раклеова1, Ивелин Панчев1,2, Мариана Влахова1, Мария Шишиньова1,2, Венцислав Бърдаров1, Радослав Русев2

1 Съвместен Геномен Център ООД, 2 СУ „Св. Климент Охридски“ What is GENOMICS (the common name of system biology approach) BIOINFORMATICS DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) The genes are in it - about 2-3% = E 25-50 thousand N sugars (GENOMICS) V I R Protein O (PROTEOMICS) N M E fat METABOLITES N (Secondary active compounds T ~300 thousands) •phenols •vitamins •Alcaloids •Organic acids, etc. Cell and molecular farming

•Food and feed •How do genes, proteins, metabolites work •Medicines •Is there a difference between them in various •Textile and Garment organisms, what is their composition and structure •Chemistry •How they interact •Bio-energy •What and how they are regulated •Bio-plastics •Why proteins and secondary metabolites are food •Bio-colouring agents, etc. and medicines, while DNA is not MISSION

To serve as a first model for Innovative High-Tech Center in the field of Bio-Economy through acting as a catalyst between science and business – To create innovative products with high value-added, competitive ability and niche market for the human health – High quality services related to quality of plant and animal production and food safety for the human health – To train high-tech young personnel – Consulting Services – efficient partnership with the business in the area of high technologies High-throughput Investors/ Venture methods capital

Academies JGC

Universities State interests Genomics •Direct orders •Control analysis Research projects Proteomics Common interest Metabolomics New knowledge Bioinformatics JGC between the state and the business

Prototype Business interests Spin-off companies

New products

Market

Our vision for JGC role in modern economy Main principles of JGC

Projects aiming to create a competitive product and know-how are to be established on the basis of: – The unique Bulgarian biodiversity and traditional products in relation to the human – To avoid duplication with Western projects and intentions – Effective application of advanced high-tech methods and equipment – To unite the interests of the academies and universities with the industry – Interdisciplinarity and high profesionalism – Effective international cooperation – Effective technology transfer – Protection for intellectual property rights – Clear Market and Marketing – Investment interest – Creating start-ups JGC Current projects for Agriculture, Food and Pharmaceutical Industry: Plant Metabolites for Water deficit (drought) - wheat and maize Human Health Nutrigenomics (healthy nutrition)- •Nutraceuticals for human •Wheat, Sunflower (with diet and immune system strengthening properties) health with specific: •Vine (dessert varieties) and Wine (Mavrud) •Flavour •Lactic acid bacteria – yogurt •Fragrance •Honey and bee products •Berries - Blueberries, Wild strawberries •Nutritional value •Medicinal plants – Leucojum •Functional Foods for •Oil-bearing rose human health (Additives) •Herbs – an old traditional recipe •Аboriginal sheep breeds •Drug Leads •Biocides (with pesticide Future projects: and antibiotic qualities) •Fish and aquaculture •Preservatives •Forest species •Biofuels •Biomarkers •Other, mushrooms, etc. •Bioenergy (cellulose) Consortium (TP) referring to the Grape Variety and Wine “Mavrud”

Business (SME)

Grape Wine and grape seeds Novelties •Variety, clone Genetics •Biologically active compounds for: •New quality of wine and new •Region – soil, climate * Cardiovascular diseases medical compounds Genomics * Cancer diseases •Value added * Others – diet, cosmetics •New price •New market Breeders •New technologies

Pipiniers Metabolomics Pharmaceutists Soil scientists Meteorologists Medical Wine Plant Doctors producers physiology

Waste from grape and wine production Socio-economical •compost and ecological •bioenergy

Agroeconomists Ecologists

International cooperation - Public research organization Significant improvement of - Private sector - Foundations and NGO’s niche market and the profit Areas of Expertise

Genetics / genomics

Epigenetics / gene System Biology / Omics Nutrigenomics editing Technologies

Proteomics Metabolomics

Bioinformatics

PLATFORM 1: PLATFORM 2: PLATFORM 3: AgriOMICS Food and Health Biodiversity

National and regional concepts and strategies for the development of agriculture and agri science

Scientific and informational services for the development of the agri sector Working Platforms at JGC

PLATFORM 1: PLATFORM 3: AgriOMICS Biodiversity PLATFORM 2: Food and Health AgriOMICS: Application of the methods of system biology in support to the agri sector Nutritional effect of food and biologically-active metabolites Conventional and organic for human health Systematic approach towards agriculture: biodiversity - Functional food - Molecular breeding - Development of a gene-bank - Safe – healthy – authentic of authentic and natural plant - Biological features of the crops food varieties (yield, quality, etc.) - Taste and aromatic features - Link between biodiversity and - Investigating the factors of the its economic potential environment - Medicinal components - Biotic – Abiotic stress - Creation of a reference laboratory for independent - Plant-protection methods and assessment of quality and their impact safety of different foods Long-term Priority Projects

Project 1: Molecular breeding Purpose: To support the conventional selection programme of wheat and sunflower through the application of the approaches of molecular breeding and genotyping Strategic partners: ANIP Dobrudja and Biogranum

Project 2: Implementation of biological methods in agriculture Purpose: To create an applied-research platform for implementation of microbial fertilizers and plant-protection solutions that stimulate nature-friendly biological approaches. To investigate the impact of these methods on the immune system of the plants, the physiological processes and their link with the factors of the environment. Current investigation with Extrasol and Nano Sulphur.

Project 3: Authentic Bulgarian Food Products Purpose: To identify authentic Bulgarian agricultural and food products with high-value nutritional and healthy impact, to support the analysis of their impact and market penetration. Creation of Authentica Cluster and Club of the Biological Producers as drivers of the initiative Other Activities of JGC

• Analytical and other laboratory services • Comprehensive consulting activities • Trainings and seminars • Scientific and informational services for the development of agriculture • Development of national and regional concepts for development of the agri sector Patent’s Portfolio of JGC

• 2010 UM Reg. No 1460 “New approach for development of antioxidant activity in alive cells “ • 2011 UM Reg. No 1597 “Herbal combination for general immune support“ • 2012 UM reg. No 1769 “Biologically active composition based on honey “ • 2014 UM reg. No 2955 “Functional food composition” (application)

The patents of the JGC are a prerequisite for activities for their market introduction, as well as a strong support factor in applications for European and other grant financing Strategic Partnerships

• National partnerships: ➢ Scientific organizations – faculties of Sofia University, Bulgarian Academy of Science, National Agri Academy and other agricultural scientific organizations ➢ Strategic partnership with Agro Bio Institute (structure of National Agri Academy) ➢ Farmers and business partners – agri producers, breeders and seed producers, processing plants and suppliers of products and services for the agri sector ➢ State institutions, branch associations, NGOs and individual partnerships • Regional partnerships: ➢ Romanian Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, ➢ Agri-biotechnological Institute Thessaloniki, ➢ Trakia University Edirne, ➢ Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad • International partnerships: ➢ Netherlands – WUR, RIKILT, Plant Science Institute ➢ Belgium – Plant Biology Institute (Ghent) ➢ France – INRA Versailles ➢ Japan – Kobe University ➢ China – National Agricultural University ➢ Russia – National Institute of Agri Biotechnology JOINT GENOMIC CENTRE & AGRI SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL PARK

Logical Partners in Fostering the Link between Agri Science and Business

February 2017 JGC & ASIP: Complementary Roles Joint Genomic Centre Universal Bulgarian Investments / ASIP

- Provides complex expertise - Strategy investor in food- in system biology and-agri in Bulgaria

- Link between fundamental - Approach to business and applied science ventures through applied agri science - Platform for research projects with involvement - Developer of of in-house scientists and contemporary, analytical external partners and research facilities

Ongoing strategic projects include (1) classic and molecular breeding, (2) application of biological methods in conventional farming, (3) complementary laboratory complexes, (4) authentic varieties Open Topics for Potential Partners Partnering Modes JGC & ASIP are jointly developing an integrated pool of laboratory, research and knowledge- based resources. The concept is open for other stakeholders and recent partners include one of the leading regional breeding companies, producers of fertilizers, large farmers and diverse business entities. The teams of JGC and ASIP are open to discuss various modes of partnerships. Revival of Bulgarian Agri Science For many decades the Bulgarian agri science was globally recognized. Unfortunately it has allowed much of the expertise and potential to get scattered away in the last 20 years. JGC and ASIP are setting the ambitious goal of providing favorable conditions for promising applied researchers to contribute to the revival of Bulgarian Agri Science. Examples include molecular breeding, doubled haploidy, gene editing, etc. JGC and ASIP welcome scientific projects and would be happy to discuss promising scientific proposals. International Cooperation JGC and ASIP are making no illusions about the rapid pace of scientific and business development in the area of food and agri. While we are ambitious in developing our own methods and patents we are also openly seeking applicable international partners in our selected priority areas. Agricultural Scientific-industrial Park “Dobrudzha”

Project presentation and perspectives

February 2017 Executive Summary

▪ First in Bulgaria industrial park specialized in value-added food- and-agri and related businesses ▪ Located in the heart of South Dobrudzha, Bulgaria’s key agricultural region ▪ Near cargo ports on the Black Sea and Danube, good road and rail connectivity ▪ Sponsored by skilled entrepreneurs experienced in Bulgaria and Europe ▪ Initial capital investment of EUR 2 millions to launch first phase to be increased to up to EUR 7- 10 million depending on needs and growth potential ▪ Certified Class B Investor (priority regional investor) ▪ Agri scientific and research complex (NISK) opened in 2016 Located in General Toshevo, a town 24 km from , 75 km ▪ Project sponsors would consider interest from potential equity co- away from the major port city of investors in the park as well as potential tenants from the Varna and 10 km away from the agricultural- food and related industries Romanian border ASIP Why Dobrudzha?

Resource base Convenient Location ▪ Production of 30% of Bulgaria’s ▪ 10 km from the Romanian border wheat ▪ 24 km from Dobrich, district center ▪ Significant yields of sunflower, corn, and city of 90,000 population rapeseed, and other industrial crops ▪ 70 km from Varna, third largest city ▪ Over 98% arable agricultural land in Bulgaria with major port and international airport ▪ Significant cattle livestock ▪ 40km away two smaller ports on the Black Sea with cargo terminals for agricultural commodities

Availability of skilled labor Competencies in manufacturing ▪ Over 60% of the population in the Dobrich region is of working age ▪ Food processing takes a share of 45- 50% of all the manufacturing ▪ High unemployment (13.8% in activities in the region 2015) and low cost of labour (BGN 450 on average) ▪ Major regional facilities in the area of meat processing, bakery, etc. in the near past (1980s) ASIP Integrated Concept

Investment Fund ------Vehicle of Universal Investment Advisory to provide equity and debt for starting agri and processing industries Agri Industrial Park Research Facility Resource Base ------Contemporary laboratory Physical infrastructure and Cluster of farmers willing to established in the area of support services for processing shift crops and provide resource Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute industries at the heart of base for processing industries Dobrudzha

Labour Pool ------Database of experts with experience in related industries from the region ASIP Sector Focus

 Selection of agricultural and processing industries including: - Conventional agriculture: support for business models of high value added – irrigated and technical crops - Major adjacent industries: irrigation, fertilizers, seeds and micro propagation - Manufacturing industries relying on agricultural resource base: milk and meat processing, bread and bakery, food packaging, etc. - Agricultural machine engineering and construction: tractors and harvesters, headers and other attachments, pumps and irrigation systems, hot-plant construction - Research and development activities in the area of agriculture: traditional and molecular breeding, certifying laboratories, test fields,etc. - Financial and marketing services for the sector: financial packages for farmers (including provision of debt and equity), marketing platform for bio produce, etc. - Administrative and information-related services: support in applying for EU grants, preparation for exhibitions, export advice Scientific-research Complex (NISK)

NISK embodies the concept of breeding activities and certification services exclusively directed to the agricultural producers in Dobrudzha. In fact this is a project for complex scientific-research and breeding activities and certified laboratories in cooperation with the Joint Genomic Center and Sofia University. Cooperation with international scientific partners is a main element in the successful accomplishment of the project.

LONG TERM GOAL: Create an integrated model, that combines scientific research with the agricultural and processing business, which could realize the competitive advantages of Dobrudzha using effective business ASIP schemes with high returns. Science & Research Focus

SOFIA General Toshevo (JGC) (NISK and DAI)

Partnership with Sofia University Partnership with National Agri Institute (DAI) “St. Kliment Ohridski” within the to develop an applied-research centre Joint Genomic Centre Focus on: Focus on: - plant breeding - bio technologies - seed quality - genomics - soil analysis - metabolomics - plant protection - bio informatics - environmental factors ASIP Support to Plant Breeding & Seed Production Activities

SOFIA NISK General Toshevo

- Biotic & abiotic stress resistance analyses - Comprehensive seed quality and soil- - Marker-assisted breeding support analysis & plant-protection service to - Analyses of nutritional and health- partnering farmers related properties of food produce - Seed processing and packaging - Gene bank development - Demonstration fields ASIP structure and external links

NISK Gen. Toshevo ASIP

DAI Gen. JGC Toshevo Breeding & Sofia TEST Seed FIELDS Production Big Farmers DAI Gen. Toshevo

TEAM Demonst- TEAM Machine Seed ration Breading Park Production Fields NS Seme Breeding & Seed Production – functional relations

NISK & JGC

BREEDING & VARIETY Prof. Kobiljski

DAI, NS SEME, General Novi Sad Toshevo ASIP Middle term goals (Horizon 2020)

1. Creation of Model Breeding Farm on the basis of modern and high technological methods of land processing.

2. Platform for connecting agricultural science and farmers on the basis of newest achievements of Bulgarian and European agro- scientists. Middle term goals (Horizon 2020)

3. Combination of traditional and modern breeding methods

Traditional breeding Molecular breeding methods methods /Joint /ASIP test fields/ Genomic Center/

Doubled haploid production /NISK labs/ ASIP Varieties developed by ASIP

№ Variety Kind Type License in EU list

Code Crop Year 1 PА 2 Wheat Winter 2017 2 PА 3 Wheat Winter 2017 3 PА 4 Wheat Winter 2017 4 PAT 1 Triticale Winter 2017

5 ANIP 1 Wheat Winter 2018 6 ANIP 2 Wheat Winter 2018 7 ANIPD1 Wheat Winter/Durum 2018

1 SF 1 Sunflower Clearfield 2019 2 SF 2 Sunflower Clearfield 2019 3 SF 3 Sunflower Clearfield 2019 4 SF 4 Sunflower Express 2019 ASIP Project Timeline

2015 2016 2017-2018

Concept development Finalized JV with Sofia University and JGC & NISK laboratories to become an active shareholder in Joint reach full functional capacity Initiation of partnership with Genomic Centre Sofia University & Joint Active participation in OP Genomic Centre Complete refurbishment of NISK Science & Education (EU grant laboratory in General Toshevo programmes) as well as some Working group with Agri of Horizon 2020 programmes Academy (DAI) Develop a large-scale partnership with the Union of Bulgarian Agri Producers Large-scale partnership with Initial investment in laboratory local and regional farmers complex (building) & Invest in own breeding programme under a customized barter- application for Class B financing business model regional investment Scale up seed production capacity Own varieties with focus on Partnership with local Granted Class B Investor certificate wheat and sunflower breeders and pilot seed production activities Initiation of international cooperation Gene bank of local and foreign varieties Main Investor Universal Bulgarian Investments Investment structure with main activities in the field of Agriculture and related industries WINERY

Modern winery, which disposes of its own vineyards and a complete set of technological equipment for processing, stabilization and bottling of wine. Annual production of more than 1 000 000 liters of high quality red and white wines and rose of the types of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, own brandy and cognac.

AGRARIA SERVICE EURO CARGO Euro Cargo is a dynamic Bulgarian transport - Founded in 2008 company with a large volume of internationally - Processes more than 500 ha agricultural land processed cargos and new modern transport - Five projects under European programs successfully vehicles. accomplished - More than 150 employees

STUDIA TRANSMEDIA

Media and marketing structure tending to develop integrated marketing communications in partnership with TV, own TV program transmissions, own analytical and news internet sites, marketing and event management. Project team

Key project sponsor Main Science Consultant

Founder and president of Universal Investment Founder and conceptualizer of Advisory SA, a Swiss asset management firm Joint Genomic Center More than 20 years of experience with leading Leading researcher in the area of banks in Switzerland specializing in asset genetic biotechnologies management Full member of the Bulgarian Master degrees in international law from top Academy of Science(2003) universities in Moscow and Switzerland Numerous international publications including a monograph on investment funds and articles on Gueorgui Vassilev international finance, investments, and world affairs Prof. Atans Atanassov Main sponsor Science Consultant

Breading leader Executive Director Author and co-author of 55 cereals (wheat, triticale, durum and spelt wheat) varieties registered in More than 12 Years of Serbia and 22 registered abroad. experience in Banking sector on Horizon 2020 expert evaluator (2014 - today) managing positions – CEO of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Biochimbank, BNP-Paribas a.o. Novi Sad (2010-2012) Experience in corporate Director for science of the Institute of Field and management, project financing, Vegetable Crops (2006-2008) stock exchange operations and Reviewer of numerous international projects, public financing. national projects of the Serbian Ministry of Managerial experience in Education and Science (2004 - today) and the Prof. dr Borislav Vladimir Gueorguiev different sectors of the economy. projects proposed to the Hungarian Scientific Executive Director KOBILJSKI Research Fund (OTKA) Breeding leader Contacts ASIP Sofia 11504 Tsar Osvoboditel blvd.,17А et. 2, app. 4

Gueorgui Vassilev CEO tel: + 41793711402 [email protected]

Vladimir Gueorguiev Executive Director tel: + 359 878 128 109 [email protected] Areas of Potential Joint Interest • Crop varieties – Conventional vs. organic farming – Traditional and molecular breeding methods – Regulatory requirements (incl. accreditation issues), IPR, plant breeding rights and interaction with policy-making , NGOs, etc. • Soil and biological agri methods – Soil fertility - metagenomics – Inoculants – bacteria, fungi, etc. • Food – Nutritional and health impact – Food safety, quality and authenticity • Biodiversity • Bioinformatics Approaches for Partnership

• Implementation of new methodologies – molecular and metabolomic breeding, gene editing, GMO versus trans and cis genesis, apomixes, digital agriculture (phenomic technologies), molecular methods for seed health testing • Implementation of practical formats for public-private partnerships and development of initiatives in the area of agri science and research • Training, education and exchange opportunities: structuring of joint Masters and PhD programmes • Joint projects (such as bilateral applications; EU-funded programmes, etc.) • Opportunities for wider representation of Dutch research and industry entities in the Balkans; joint initiatives for agri-industry competitiveness • Biodiversity utilization: for example in the area of food additives, supplements, pharmaceuticals • Accreditation through a reference laboratory • Policy developments: dialogue on CAP after 2020 Thank you!

Prof. Atanas Atanassov

Web: www.jgc-bg.org Email: [email protected]