Viña Concha y Toro – Family of Wineries’ Center for Research and Innovation (CRI) opened its doors to present the new Translational Biotechnology Center (TBC) launched by SOFOFA Hub to key Chilean authorities.

In order to continue promoting the development of an increasingly innovative and sustainable world, Viña Concha y Toro opened the doors of its Center for Research and Innovation (CRI) located in Chile’s Maule Region in order for SOFOFA Hub to present its new Translational Biotechnology Center (TBC) to key authorities.

The Translational Biotechnology Center aims to foster the development of biotechnology by the private sector, connecting demand from companies with solutions that are generated in multiple research centers and universities, which today are developing unprecedented capabilities in Chilean industry.

The launch, which took place at Viña Concha y Toro’s CRI, was attended by the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Andrés Couve; the executive vice president of Chilean economic development agency CORFO, Pablo Terrazas; the intendant of the Maule Region, Pablo Milad; the president of Chilean manufacturing industry association SOFOFA, Bernardo Larraín; the executive director of SOFOFA Hub, Alan García; the chairman of Viña Concha y Toro, Alfonso Larraín; and the director of the CRI, Gerard Casaubon, among others.

“The Translational Biotechnology Center is an indication of the maturity of the research, development and innovation ecosystem that exists in Chile today, as it enables us to close the gap between academia and technology providers regarding the real opportunities and challenges in the industry. The CRI’s doors are open for future projects together with the TBC, CORFO and the Ministry of Science which will enable us to continue strengthening our public-private partnership”, said Gerard Casaubon.

“Once again, the company has reinforced its commitment to innovation, supporting major initiatives such as the launch of the new TBC through its own CRI, which promotes applied research and technology transfer in order to ensure excellence in our multi-origin wine production, the sustainability of our processes and to strengthen the Chilean wine industry”, said Alfonso Larraín, chairman de Viña Concha y Toro.

The activities carried out during the launch included a full tour of the CRI, where attending authorities were able to find out more about the center’s cutting edge technology and its projects.