Unlocking Marine Genetic Resources: Streamlining the Legal, Policy and Business Aspects of the Marine Biodiscovery Pipeline

Marine organisms have the capacity to produce a variety of biologically potent natural products, including antimicrobial and anticancer compounds. With much of the biodiversity in the ocean still unknown and rapid progress being made in the field of marine exploration technology, there is significant potential for the discovery of novel biological resources with applications in medicine. Rates of marine resource exploitation are therefore likely to increase in the future, expanding into previously inaccessible parts of the ocean. Challenges associated with utilisation of marine genetic resources are not only related to physical access, but are also strongly linked to law, policy and business. The first objective of this PhD project is to study the legal and policy frameworks governing marine biodiscovery (from sample to product). Attention will be given to potential options for an 'access and benefit-sharing' system linked to the utilisation of marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The second objective is to investigate intellectual property protection, business models and innovation management for different stages of the marine biodiscovery value chain. This will involve a review of successful and failed marine biotechnology case studies. By addressing a combination of cross-cutting legal, policy and business issues, this project aims to provide new insight into factors that may create an enabling environment for marine biodiscovery.status: publishe