Viewpoint

The term innovation ecosystem is more than a convenient description. The means by which ecosystems are formed and developed provide a practical model for reshaping Europe’s innovation processes, says Didier Schmitt

The rising tide of drug-resistant infections and dearth of new antibiotics calls for the same kind of urgency and action as the HIV/AIDs epidemic, says Laura Piddock, founder of Antibiotic Action

After the first launch in April, the European Space Agency’s new Copernicus earth observation system has just begun to beam back images. This will be a spur for innovation, says project coordinator Josef Aschbacher

The economic significance of patents ranges from impacts on growth and global trade, to patent portfolio management within firms. The EU could do more to extract value from its patent store, says Theon van Dijk, Chief Economist, European Patent Office

From traffic management to healthcare, there is huge potential in unlocking public information stores, Pól Mac Aonghusa, senior research manager at IBM tells Science|Business

Science|Business begins a series of viewpoints on the ethical dimensions of Europe’s biggest R&D programme

With the Eurostars’ funding pot replenished by nearly €1.2B, EUREKA chairwoman Kristin Danielsen shares her thoughts on its importance for small businesses in Europe

Growth in the marine sector is welcome, but needs to be sensitively managed; we shouldn’t put wind turbines in fishing grounds. Investing in seabed mapping technology will ensure resources are used in a sustainable way, says Maria do Céu Patrão Neves, MEP

In response to the latest IPCC report, Mary Ritter, CEO of Climate-KIC, the EU’s public-private partnership, highlights the major efforts that are under way to tackle climate change. Collaboration is the route to addressing this threat, she says

Software apps have risen from nowhere to support 1.8 million jobs and deliver revenues of €17.5 B in 2013. But more could be done to support this vibrant sector, with skills shortages being a particular worry, says John Breslin, project director at Eurapp