A new global economic paradigm emerged at the beginning of this century, based on the role that oceans can play in sustainable development: the Blue Economy. Operating in various economic activities, marine biotechnology stands out as having high consolidation potential, given its wide range of applications in sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, and others.

This high growth potential is due to the vast marine biodiversity. However, there are inhibiting factors that can impact its development, such as the need for adequate infrastructure and qualified human capital; high investments in the R&D phase; a framework and legal framework that do not keep pace with advances in marine biotechnology; effective communication throughout the value chain; and difficulties in commercialization related to the perception of these products by the business and civil society.

Therefore, the development of marine biotechnology depends on the creation of innovation ecosystems, where a set of organizations (stakeholders) act as groups, forming an organizational network that realizes a joint value proposition. However, the formation of a marine biotechnology ecosystem is complex, involving teams with diverse expertise, physical and technological infrastructure, and a transdisciplinary collaboration between scientific and industrial organizations, civil society, and government.

The effectiveness of this ecosystem depends, in principle, on organizational methodologies and institutional mechanisms. For the former, the Responsible Research, Development and Innovation framework stands out, based on three principles: science done for society; science done in society; and responsible, ethical, and transparent science.

In practical terms, the principles of the framework in marine biotechnology ecosystems consist of the development of technological innovations (e.g., solutions, products, and services) resulting from collaborative action among stakeholders. To this end, it is fundamental to manage expectations regarding the results of collaborative R&D activity, embodied in robust contracts; demonstrating trust in the value chain and complementary business models. At the same time, society must be included, pointing to public acceptance/legitimacy, fundamental for the commercialization phase. The application of this framework encounters critical points existing in ecosystems, such as communication between stakeholders and, consequently, its impact on the coordination and sharing of resources along the value chain that constitutes it, potentially impacting the commercialization of results from R&D activities.

The narrative based on the principles of this framework, that science should be the source of answers to socioeconomic questions in a sustainable and inclusive way, has influenced the government to define institutional mechanisms, demonstrating a growing commitment to the development of the blue economy and related areas. An example of this effort is the initiative to build the International Center for Blue Biotechnology in Matosinhos, scheduled to be operational in 2030; an undertaking that aims to transform Portugal into a relevant player in the global context, taking advantage of its geographical characteristics and natural resources to boost scientific and technological innovation in the field of marine biotechnology. Regarding agencies, the National Innovation Agency (ANI) stands out, playing an important role in the formation of these ecosystems. Its direct support translates into numerous opportunities for public funding and the establishment of a national structure composed of organizations responsible for the transfer of knowledge and technology between research organizations and industry. Within this structure, Collaborative Laboratories (CoLABs) are particularly noteworthy.

The B2E CoLAB possesses organizational, physical, technological, and human resources aimed at enhancing the ecosystem for the most varied areas of the blue bioeconomy, highlighting marine biotechnology and the developing affiliate ecosystem. This ecosystem is based on a platform for the valorization of marine co-products, FishMatter. FishMatter is a digital platform that enables relationships between partners and enhances interactions between them, promoting increased value creation in the projects involved. The FishMatter platform aims to create a market and new value chains for marine by-products, ensuring an increase in the economic value of the products generated. At the same time, it highlights the strategic and relevant role of B2E CoLAB as a member of the working group established to develop and implement the strategies of the International Center for Blue Biotechnology. This participation reinforces B2E CoLAB’s commitment to growth and innovation in the field of biotechnology.