Research project looking for a commercialization advisor from Finland

The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is a research organisation operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland. Luke’s task is to promote competitive business based on the sustainable use of renewable natural resources, as well as wellbeing and the vitality of the countryside.

The fungal genus Heterobasidion includes a number of destructive forest pathogens that affect coniferous forests worldwide causing tree mortality and decay. This causes significant economic losses due to reduced wood quality and also reduces carbon sequestration of diseased trees. Luke has developed a biological virocontrol method to reduce ability of the pathogen to cause disease resulting the next generation trees staying healthy. They aim to further develop this solution into a new business opportunity and prepare to commercialize it by using Business Finland Research to Business project.