Innovating through networks: a case study in plant biotechnology

International Journal of Biotechnology

Volumn 1, Issue 1, 1999, Pages 67-81

  Joly, Pierre Benoit ^a  

^a CEMAGREF   (France)

Author keywords

complementarity; cooperative research; Plant biotechnology

Indexed keywords

CONTRACTS; INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS; INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH; INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION; PLANT MANAGEMENT; RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT; SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS; SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT;

AGROCHEMICALS; COMPLEMENTARITY; COOPERATIVE RESEARCH; DIVERSIFICATION; FIRM;

BIOTECHNOLOGY;

EID: 0033363168     PISSN: 09636048     EISSN: 17415020     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1504/ijbt.1999.004477     Document Type: Article

References (27)

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4. Of course, the problem of legally enforcing patents so as to be protected from ‘cosmetic breeding’ is not totally solved. A clear answer will be provided by the outcome of the first lawsuits in this domain. However, the different elements available indicate that abusive use of innovation by cosmetic breeding will be firmly prohibited (for a broader assessment of this issue, see Hermitte and Joly [6]).
5. Hermitte, M.A., Joly, P.B. (1991) Biotechnologies et brevets: présentation de quelques modèles juridiques et analyse de leur impact sur la dynamique de l’innovation dans l’industrie des semences, Grenoble: INRA (Rapport final de l’Appel d’Offre INRA/CNRS/MRT ‘Les changements techniques dans les industries liées à l’agriculture).
6. In biotechnology, the perception of potential environmental risks will also have a fairly high impact. On this issue, see Tepfer [8].
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10. As an effort to develop Third World applications, Monsanto participates in two other projects: within the framework of a project financed by the USAID through the ISAAA, Monsanto gave Mexico the right to use the coat protein of the virus for transforming ‘Alpha’ potatoes. This project includes the training of Mexican scientists. In cooperation with the Rockefeller Foundation, it supports the joint African biotechnology program for training scientists in the area of gene technology to develop virus-resistant cultivars. The first step is on the viruses of sweet potatoes.
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12. A parallel may be drawn with the evolution of the sequencing of the human genome. With the new sequencing machines, Craig Venter’s NIH Lab may succeed in the very fast identification of expressed sequence tag (EST). This new technique may drastically reduce the cost of the overall project. The acceleration of the project has raised complex problems related to the intellectual property rights issue.
13. This proposal seemed quite natural since Beachy had extensive interaction with R.T. Fraley [15] who was part-time professor at Washington University.
14. Fraley, R.T. (1992) ‘Sustaining the food supply’, Bio/Technology, Vol.10, No.1, pp.40–43.
15. This is actually a very interesting example of the patent race since three teams filed their patent applications within a few days’ interval: the Max Planck Institute (13.1.83), Monsanto (17.1.83) and Agrigenetics (15.4.83).
16. Beachy, R.N. (1988) Reflections of an industry-supported university scientist’ in DeForest et al. Biotechnology, Professional Issues and Social Concerns, Washington: AAAS Publication 88–23, pp.28–33.
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18. After his death in 1991, he was succeeded by Pr. Philip Needleman from Washington University Medical School.
19. Industrially important patents (‘major patents’) are identified through their citation counts. The more a patent is cited by other patents, the greater its potential economic impact. This hypothesis has been verified in other technological fields [21]. Methods using the identification of major patents are currently used for technological ranking of big corporations. For the analysis of this issue in plant biotechnology, see Joly and de Looze [22]. Note that the present paper was completed in 1993. Since then, transgenic plants are being widely used. In 1998, Monsanto’s transgenic plants are cultivated on more than 10 million hectares, which confirms the diagnosis of success made earlier on.
20. Albert, M.B., Avery, D., Narin, F., Mcallister, P. (1991) ‘Direct validation of citation counts as indicators of industrially important patents” Research Policy 20 (1991) pp.251–259.
21. Joly, P.B., de Looze, M.A. (1996) ‘An analysis of innovation strategies and industrial differentiation through patent applications: the case of plant biotechnology’ Research Policy, 25, pp.1027–1046.
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23. Rosenberg, N. (1990) ‘Why do firms do basic research (with their own money)?’ Research Policy, 19, pp.165–174.
24. This point involves the issue of the management of human resources. As Dr. Carpenter, VicePresident of Monsanto Agriculture, puts it: “Some scientists may not want to progress in their career from individual benchwork to managing a scientific group, and on up to high-level science administration. For them, we have a Fellow system in which a person can move up in grade, recognition, and responsibilities without getting bogged down in people management or paperwork.” (Carpenter [26])
25. Carpenter, W.D. (1989), interview published in Burrill, G.S. (1989) Biotech 1989: Commercialization, New-York: Mary Ann Liebert.
26. Mowery, D., Rosenberg, N. (1989) Technology and the Pursuit of Economic Growth, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
27. Pisano, G. P. (1990) ‘The R&D boundaries of the firm: an empirical analysis’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 35: pp.153–176.