With the US in regulatory limbo, Europe is winning the race to be the first regulated drugs market to approve generic copies of biotech drugs - despite the protests of the biotech pioneers who created them.

The European Commission's Clinical Trials Directive was meant to make trials more simple. But it looks as if the effect has been to stop many trials taking place at all.

Cambridge University wants rights to the intellectual property generated by its staff. The idea has divided scientists in a university well known for its high-tech spin-outs.

Two New Year's resolutions for the governments around the world that have managed to gum up the economic machinery behind technological development.

A new Swedish company backed by government and business angels aims to create an entire funding ecosystem for young companies until they become ready for venture capital.

IP2IPO Group, which specialises in commercialising university technology, has made an exclusive 25-year deal with the University of Bristol to form spin-out companies from the university. Analysts greeted the deal as a boost for the company.

Microsoft is to open more research centres in Europe, in a move to step up its research collaboration and boost students' interest in the technology field.

"Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success." Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931).