Nuala Moran

After more than four decades of negotiation, impasse and posturing, 25 member states agree to create a unitary patent. MEPs who voted for the move promise simplification, lower costs and time-saving for hard-pressed SMEs.

Experts say cutting embryonic stem cell funding in Horizon 2020 will threaten progress Europe is making in developing safe, effective and well-regulated cell therapies - and in creating an economically important regenerative medicine sector

Cash-strapped member states want to reduce the EU’s overall budget, putting the proposed increase in R&D spending under threat. That will make it more difficult to revive Europe’s jaded economy, Teresa Riera Madurell MEP tells Science|Business

Advertising its ‘wants’ online has unlocked a fresh seam of ideas and is motivating in-house researchers at Unilever, says Roger Leech, the company’s Open Innovation Scouting Director

Concerns about job security and a relentless lifestyle are holding back would-be biotech entrepreneurs. Academics need to be shown the fun and energy of being in the start-up world says Kevin Johnson of Index Ventures

The London 2012 tingle is receding, but the legacy should be about more than finding a new use for the Olympic Stadium. By Nuala Moran.

The public should be given the opportunity to take a direct role in supporting innovative start-ups, says Steven Bates, chief executive of the UK BioIndustry Association

One of the biggest barriers to commercialising breakthrough research is getting scientists to come forward with their ideas. Rolling out the role models can help

At the fourth time of asking, the European Medicines Agency is recommending approval of Glybera, opening up a new era in the treatment of rare diseases, and unlocking the wider potential of gene therapy

The European Court of Justice has ruled the functionality embodied in computer programs cannot be copyrighted. This will spur innovation and interoperability say experts