This article analyses valuation practices, focusing on the way health data constitute different kinds of assets for different actors within an industry-academia partnership in the field of microbiome research. It examines emerging bioeconomic dynamics within data-driven computational biology, contributing to debates about the sociopolitical implications of multiple and synergic valuation practices in personalized medicine for future public health. Through the ethnographic exploration of a personalized nutrition startup active in Europe and the US and a metagenomics research lab based in Italy, we explore the dynamics around the intersection of knowledge production with scientific, economic, and health value. In contrast to traditional commodity and rent-based structures, we expose a hybrid model of bioeconomic enterprise that challenges rigid distinctions between commodification and asset-based rentiership, highlighting synergic business models where multiple registers of the value of worth are played out, translated, and combined. The study unveils a nuanced relationship between data, research, and economic drivers, where scientists perceive they can pursue research independently from market pressures. Beyond these perceptions and narratives, we highlight the economic dynamics that suture basic research and industry in their promotion of health governance that causes social justice concerns by restricting access to high income and hegemonic types of clients/patients. We clarify that epistemic aspects cannot be disentangled from sociopolitical aspects, especially in the digital age, and that where governments implement and enhance digital health solutions, they also need to plan for consistent social (re)adjustments.

Capitalization and the production of value at the nexus of academia and industry: the case of a microbiome startup

Ferrari, Luciano;Raffaetà, Roberta;
2024-01-01

Abstract

This article analyses valuation practices, focusing on the way health data constitute different kinds of assets for different actors within an industry-academia partnership in the field of microbiome research. It examines emerging bioeconomic dynamics within data-driven computational biology, contributing to debates about the sociopolitical implications of multiple and synergic valuation practices in personalized medicine for future public health. Through the ethnographic exploration of a personalized nutrition startup active in Europe and the US and a metagenomics research lab based in Italy, we explore the dynamics around the intersection of knowledge production with scientific, economic, and health value. In contrast to traditional commodity and rent-based structures, we expose a hybrid model of bioeconomic enterprise that challenges rigid distinctions between commodification and asset-based rentiership, highlighting synergic business models where multiple registers of the value of worth are played out, translated, and combined. The study unveils a nuanced relationship between data, research, and economic drivers, where scientists perceive they can pursue research independently from market pressures. Beyond these perceptions and narratives, we highlight the economic dynamics that suture basic research and industry in their promotion of health governance that causes social justice concerns by restricting access to high income and hegemonic types of clients/patients. We clarify that epistemic aspects cannot be disentangled from sociopolitical aspects, especially in the digital age, and that where governments implement and enhance digital health solutions, they also need to plan for consistent social (re)adjustments.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Capitalization and the production of value at the nexus of academia and industry the case of a microbiome startup (1).pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione dell'editore
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 813 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
813 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in ARCA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10278/5082370
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 0
social impact