Strategic cooperation between Biotechnology Valley and Üsküdar University

With the aim of ensuring stronger interaction between academic knowledge and the biotechnology ecosystem, Üsküdar University and Biotechnology Valley signed a Strategic Cooperation Protocol. Within the scope of the protocol, it is aimed to institutionalize and deepen university industry collaboration, integrate students into production and R and D processes at earlier stages, expand a culture of joint projects, and strengthen qualified human resources in the field of biotechnology.

The signing ceremony held at the Main Campus Senate Hall was attended by President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, BIYOSAD and BIOSB Chairman of the Board Dr. Ercan Varlıbaş, Vice Rector Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, Rector’s Advisor Prof. Muhsin Konuk, Secretary General Asil Barış Bağ, academics, and Biotechnology Valley executives.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Biotechnology Valley is ımportant for Türkiye’s future”

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that Biotechnology Valley is an important step for Türkiye’s future. Emphasizing the importance of progressing the project with concrete steps, Tarhan highlighted the significance of collaboration.

“When we toured Biotechnology Valley, I was very excited. The work is progressing with concrete steps and does not remain only in theory. After seeing that determination, I realized how important Biotechnology Valley is for Türkiye’s future. Combining engineering, health, and behavior has been our thematic goal in behavioral sciences. Now, with the integration of genetic science and artificial intelligence, the secrets of human behavior, the origins of diseases, and the doors to genetic intervention are opening. A new model of drug development has emerged, biotechnological drugs are being produced by altering gene expression. This point where engineering, medicine, and genetics come together is the direction in which the future of medicine is heading. We missed the industrial revolution but let us not miss the artificial intelligence revolution. We must integrate artificial intelligence with genetic sciences and behavioral sciences. This valley can only succeed with individuals who have projects, think differently, think outside the box, and possess intellectual rebellion and critical thinking. There are many people in Türkiye with this potential. The key is to open the way and prepare the ground.”

“An amateur spirit must combine with professional methods”

Noting that as a university they have adopted a project-oriented education model and that transforming knowledge into products through industry collaboration is crucial, Tarhan said: “Biotechnology Valley uses professional methods and scientific methodology, while trying to do so with an amateur spirit. If an amateur spirit and professional methods come together, this initiative will grow and progress. If they do not, we slow down and remain incomplete. As a university, when institutions that share the same vision and move with similar approaches toward a common goal come together, progress happens. In the next ten years, cellular therapies, stem cells, and biotechnological products will completely transform knowledge into products. This can only happen through industry collaboration. It made us very happy that industry leaders and decision makers in Türkiye have this vision.”

Prof. Nazife Güngör: “Knowledge produced must move beyond the campus”

Prof. Nazife Güngör emphasized that new generation universities must be intertwined with social benefit and industry. Stating that the collaboration with Biotechnology Valley is part of this vision, Güngör said: “Knowledge produced must move beyond the campus and be generated together with external stakeholders. Only then can you truly touch reality. Only then can you see the real needs of society and respond to them. Therefore, this collaboration is important in that sense as well. Within our mission of transforming knowledge into practice, we are carrying out very important work both to build a global vision together with you and to produce knowledge that addresses the needs of humanity and society.”

Dr. Ercan Varlıbaş: “Reaching the top 10 in biotechnology is only possible if all stakeholders unite around the same vision”

Dr. Ercan Varlıbaş, Chairman of the Board of BIYOSAD and BIOSB, stated that achieving the desired goals in biotechnology is only possible when all stakeholders come together around a shared vision.

“As Biotechnology Valley, we have been steadfastly advancing academia industry integration for a long time and continue to strengthen it through new collaborations. The protocol we signed with Üsküdar University is one of the concrete steps toward our vision of becoming a global player in biotechnology. Türkiye’s goal of ranking among the top 10 countries in biotechnology can only be achieved if all stakeholders unite around the same vision and produce together. At Biotechnology Valley, we bring academia, industry, and young talents together within the same ecosystem. We are building a model in which scientific output does not remain on the shelves, but transforms into products, commercial outcomes, and most importantly, value for our country.”

“Biotechnology valley is an ecosystem that transforms knowledge into economic value”

Emphasizing that academia industry collaborations are a crucial component of Türkiye’s journey toward high value added production, Dr. Ercan Varlıbaş stated: “The vision we have put forward as the largest valley formation in the region is not merely a physical cluster, but a holistic ecosystem that produces knowledge, develops technology, and transforms this knowledge into economic value. Through our collaborations with universities, we ensure that students become a natural part of production and R and D processes, while also strengthening the production and workforce capacity of our industrial partners.”

Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel: “A strategic collaboration that will ınspire young researchers”

Stating that biotechnology is as strategic as the defense industry, Üsküdar University Vice Rector Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel highlighted the added value of the collaboration.

“Biotechnology is as strategic as the defense industry. When we look at biotechnology focused investments worldwide, this market is expected to reach 3.2 trillion dollars by 2030. Our Biotechnology Specialized Organized Industrial Zone has a target of 20 thousand qualified employees and 15 billion dollars in annual exports. Therefore, this is both a strategic priority for our country and an area where the priorities of both institutions overlap, considering our multidisciplinary activities in health, natural sciences, engineering, biotechnology, and neuroscience. We hope that this opportunity will transform into tangible products and contribute to our country. We also wish that this partnership will create added value for our nation, inspire young researchers, and open new resources. We appreciate the goal of making our country the largest biotechnology center in Europe and Asia. As a university, we are pleased to take part in this process.”

Prof. Muhsin Konuk: “We will begin administering the SMA drug in 2027”

Evaluating the cooperation protocol, Üsküdar University Rector’s Advisor Prof. Muhsin Konuk emphasized the strategic importance of university industry collaboration for Türkiye’s future.

“University industry collaboration has long been an area that Türkiye missed and struggled to realize. I hope we do not miss the train of software and biotechnology. If we do not, just as the point we have reached in defense and space industries today makes others admire us, in ten or fifteen years Türkiye could become a country that the world looks up to and listens to. I believe this and have set it as a personal goal as a scientist of this country. Establishing production in Türkiye has become an ideal for me. We must accelerate this process by establishing our research centers as hubs and increasing industry oriented doctoral studies. Hopefully, we will begin administering the SMA drug in 2027, and I say this everywhere. I hope this collaboration brings benefit to our country, our nation, and our flag.”

The strategic cooperation protocol was signed

Following the speeches, the Strategic Cooperation Protocol was signed. Within the scope of the protocol, it is aimed to institutionalize and deepen university industry collaboration, integrate students into production and R and D processes at earlier stages, expand a culture of joint projects, and strengthen qualified human resources in biotechnology.

The ceremony concluded with a group photo.

Dr. Varlıbaş and delegation visited the laboratories

After the ceremony, Dr. Ercan Varlıbaş and the accompanying delegation visited Üsküdar University’s Clinical Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Experimental Animals Laboratory, Transgenic Cell Technologies and Epigenetics Application and Research Center, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, and Neuromarketing Research Laboratory, receiving information about the scientific studies conducted there.