22 novembre 2024, ore 10.00 – 12.00 • Aula 25 Fondazione Marco Biagi


Finanza sostenibile e finanziamento della ricerca biomedica

Relatore
FRANCESCA GUIDA, Ph.D Student XXXVIII ciclo, Fondazione Marco Biagi – Unimore

Discussant
DANIELA PENNETTA, Assegnista di ricerca presso Dipartimento di Economia “Marco Biagi”, Unimore

Chair
EDOARDO PIOMBINI, Ph.D Student XXXIX ciclo, Fondazione Marco Biagi – Unimore

Abstract
Il seminario è volto ad esaminare l’effetto di diverse categorie di finanziatori — Finanza, Industry e Pubblico — sull’innovazione e la performance operativa delle imprese produttrici di Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). Gli ATMPs  costituiscono una classe innovativa di medicinali, comprendente terapie geniche, terapie cellulari e ingegneria tissutale, destinati a trattare malattie rare e condizioni croniche per le quali non esistono opzioni terapeutiche efficaci.

Utilizzando un campione di 120 aziende biotecnologiche situate negli Stati Uniti e in Europa, i risultati mostrano che gli investimenti da parte della Finanza migliorano significativamente la capacità delle imprese di raggiungere il mercato con ATMPs autorizzati e, di conseguenza, la loro performance operativa nel medio periodo. Di contro, gli investimenti da parte dell’Industry sono cruciali per lo sviluppo di nuovi prodotti, ma non influenzano significativamente la redditività a breve e medio termine. Il supporto da parte del settore pubblico ha un effetto positivo sulla redditività, ma solo nel brevissimo termine, evidenziando i limiti derivanti dalla discontinuità delle risorse pubbliche messe a disposizione delle imprese produttrici di ATMPs. Questo studio fornisce importanti implicazioni per le politiche di finanziamento e le strategie di investimento, evidenziando il ruolo cruciale degli intermediari finanziari nel sostenere la crescita e l’innovazione delle imprese biotecnologiche. Le conclusioni suggeriscono la necessità di modelli di finanziamento continuativo e di una maggiore collaborazione tra enti pubblici e privati per ottimizzare le risorse strategiche e finanziarie a sostegno delle terapie avanzate.


Assessing the ‘Systemic Risks’ in the Digital Services Act through International Human

Relatrice
FABIANA CICCARELLA, Ph.D Student XXXIX, dottoranda del Corso in Gender Studies

Discussant
MARCO MONDELLO, Assegnista di ricerca presso Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza, Unimore

Chair
EDOARDO PIOMBINI, Ph.D Student XXXIX ciclo, Fondazione Marco Biagi – Unimore

Abstract
This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the Digital Services Act (DSA) as a regulatory framework designed to address systemic risks associated with online hate speech, balancing the need for content moderation with the imperative of protecting fundamental rights within the EU. It begins by contextualizing the rise of hate speech on digital platforms, examining the evolving responsibilities of internet intermediaries and the dual pressures they face to both curb harmful content and uphold freedom of expression. Through an analysis of the DSA, the paper identifies key provisions that seek to mitigate systemic risks—including transparency measures, the conditional liability framework, and automated content moderation requirements—each of which addresses distinct challenges posed by online hate speech, disinformation, and harmful content.

A central focus is placed on the DSA’s approach to managing systemic risks through procedural harmonization, requiring platforms to balance rapid response capabilities with user rights protections. Notably, the paper discusses the DSA’s ‘notice and action’ process, an essential mechanism for the timely removal of illegal content, and the establishment of Digital Services Coordinators who enforce compliance and oversee trusted flaggers, entities tasked with identifying and reporting harmful content. The analysis underscores how these measures are intended to prevent the spread of illegal content while safeguarding civic discourse, yet acknowledges potential drawbacks, including the risk of over-removal of legitimate content, unintended censorship, and imbalances in platform autonomy.
In addressing these challenges, the paper advocates for integrating principles from International Human Rights Law (IHRL), particularly the standards set by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Rabat Action Plan. By incorporating IHRL into the regulatory framework, the paper suggests a balanced approach to content moderation, where freedom of expression is preserved without compromising the accountability of platforms for harmful content. IHRL’s emphasis on proportionality, transparency, and non-discrimination provides a robust foundation for assessing hate speech, especially given its high threshold for restrictions and focus on preventing undue censorship.
The paper also highlights specific systemic risks such as algorithmic biases in content moderation tools and the potential for these biases to infringe on individual rights, particularly for marginalized groups. These risks underscore the importance of human oversight in automated processes to avoid discrimination and to ensure compliance with IHRL standards. Moreover, the paper examines the procedural and operational challenges of applying IHRL principles to private entities, especially in contexts where judicial oversight may be limited or absent.

In conclusion, the paper argues that a dual approach, combining the DSA’s regulatory mechanisms with the protective framework of IHRL, offers a comprehensive path forward in tackling hate speech online. This approach not only strengthens user protections but also promotes a balanced, rights-based framework that aligns with democratic values, ensuring that content moderation practices are both effective and respectful of fundamental rights. By advancing this dual approach, the paper contributes to the broader discourse on regulating digital platforms while maintaining an open and equitable digital space for all users.


Il seminario si terrà in lingua italiana e la partecipazione è libera.
Ulteriori informazioni: +390592056092 | phd_lavorosviluppoinnovazione@unimore.it

PhD Seminar – Finanza sostenibile e finanziamento della ricerca biomedica | Assessing the ‘Systemic Risks’ in the Digital Services Act through International Human