Research framework.

<p>Research framework.</p

Predominant CPC groups in MN patent literature.

<p>Predominant CPC groups in MN patent literature.</p

Linear model of convergence adapted from [20]–[22],[65].

<p>Linear model of convergence adapted from <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0082609#pone.0082609-vonDelft1" target="_blank">[20]</a>–<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0082609#pone.0082609-Curran1" target="_blank">[22]</a>,<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0082609#pone.0082609-Curran2" target="_blank">[65]</a>.</p

Grouping of the technology pairs in the MN industry, Network graph of bidirectional and unidirectional impact within the MN industry (1984–2013).

<p>Grouping of the technology pairs in the MN industry, Network graph of bidirectional and unidirectional impact within the MN industry (1984–2013).</p

A research agenda to reinforce rabies control: A qualitative and quantitative prioritization

<div><p>Background</p><p>Despite the existence of safe and effective vaccines, rabies disease still causes an estimated 59,000 human deaths a year in the endemic areas in Asia and Africa. These numbers reflect severe drawbacks regarding the implementation of PrEP and PEP in endemic settings, such as lack of political will and low priority given to rabies. Since these contextual factors have proven to be persistent, there is an urgency to improve current strategies or develop novel approaches in order to control rabies disease in the future.</p><p>Methods/Findings</p><p>This study aimed to identify and systematically prioritize the research needs, through interviews and questionnaires with key-opinion-leaders (KOLs). A total of 46 research needs were identified and prioritized. The top research needs are considered very high priority based on both importance for rabies control and need for improvement. KOLs agree that animal rabies control remains most important for rabies control, while research on human host, agent (rabies virus) and the environment should be prioritized in terms of need for improvement. A wide variety in perceptions is observed between and within the disciplines of virology, public health and veterinary health and between KOLs with more versus those with less experience in the field.</p><p>Conclusion/Significance</p><p>The results of this study give well-defined, prioritized issues that stress the drawbacks that are experienced by KOLs in daily practice. The most important research domains are: 1) cheap and scalable production system for RIG 2) efficacy of dog mass vaccination programs and 3) cheap human vaccines. Addressing these research needs should exist next to and may reinforce current awareness and mass vaccination campaigns. The differences in perspectives between actors revealed in this study are informative for effective execution of the One Health research agenda.</p></div

Knowledge diffusion within the MN industry - Network of the main patents (coded company, patent number - application year).

<p>Visualization presents the backward citing between main patents of MN companies. This network visualizes those patents that are linked. Symbols indicate the 5 MN companies; The direction of the arrow indicates the cited patent.</p

Categorization of MN industry convergence, adapted from [64].

<p>Categorization of MN industry convergence, adapted from <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0082609#pone.0082609-Pennings1" target="_blank">[64]</a>.</p

Food-Pharma dominates the domain convergence in MN - Selection of top 5 converging domains from 1989 up to 2013 in MN.

<p>Food-Pharma dominates the domain convergence in MN - Selection of top 5 converging domains from 1989 up to 2013 in MN.</p

Research needs prioritized for need for improvement.

<p>A total of 125 KOLs assessed the research needs of their expertise: animal host (n = 96); human host (n = 88); agent (n = 83); environment (n = 78). Priority groups correspond to scores of 41–60 (moderate), 61–80 (high) and 81–100 (very high). Full descriptions of research priorities and scores can be found in <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006387#pntd.0006387.s001" target="_blank">S1 Table</a>. CNS = central nervous system; RABV = rabies virus; R&D = research and development; DALYs = disability adjusted life years; PEP = post-exposure prophylaxes; NTD = neglected tropical disease.</p

Front end of innovation activities in converging industries.

<p>Adapted from <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0082609#pone.0082609-Brring1" target="_blank">[26]</a>.</p