More funds for biotech companies as new State Aid Rules recognize Young Innovative Company Status
The European Commission published new state aid rules, backed by a communication on tax incentives to stimulate R & D. The new rules recognize EuropaBio’s Young Innovative Companies (YIC) status as an eligibility criterion for state aid. This will enable Member States – who so wish - to provide extra public funds like tax and other financial incentives to their young innovative biotechnology companies without running into trouble with EU competition rules.  In addition to the R&D tax incentives communication, the new EU rules enable governments to give extra incentives to companies that are less than 6 years old and spend 15% or more of their revenues on R & D. With effect from 1st  January 2007, the new EU rules, which are not sector specific, will benefit research, development and innovation across Europe. 
For further information please contact l.theunis@Europbabio.org

Commission promotes an effective use of tax incentives for research and development
The European Commission has adopted a Communication on the more effective use of tax incentives in favour of R&D in order to boost R&D investments and enhance job creation and economic growth in Europe. The Communication clarifies the legal conditions arising from EU case law and sets out some basic principles and good practices for the design of tax incentives for R&D. It encourages Member States to improve the use and coordination of tax incentives on specific R&D issues.
For more information, please click here.
 

Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) on spring Council agenda?
The pharmaceutical industry has indicated that the IMI will be examined for the first time by the Competition Council in spring 2007. After consultation with the Parliament, the 25 member states may deliver their final decision between three and six months later. The pharma industry expects that the IMI will come into force at the beginning of 2008.

WHO stakeholder Workshop on INN for biological including Biosimilars

A EuropaBio delegation took part in the first WHO stakeholder meeting on the naming convention of biological and biotechnological products including biosimilars. EuropaBio was one of the 6 innovative industry association partners who developed a Joint Position on this topic and presented as a group during the meeting (the other associations are BIO, PhRMA, IFPMA, EFPIA and EBE). Based on the outcome of this meeting and on the Regulators meeting held in September, the WHO will now consider whether to review their naming policy for these classes of products.



EuropaBio delegation met with European Commission President Barroso
A delegation from EuropaBio met with European Commission President Barroso last Thursday (November 16) to discuss biotechnology in all its applications. For more information, please contact Nathalie Moll, n.moll@europabio.org.

EMEA 2007 budget approved by European Parliament
Following EuropaBio and National Associations EMEA lobbying programme the European Parliament adopted the draft Report amending the EU 2007 Budget on 26 October 2006. The draft Report included the three amendments calling for greater investment in the EMEA for 2007; in particular to invest in the Paediatrics system, and to increase the OMP budget by €2 million.

Brazil's 2006-07 soy crop will be at least 50% GM
In the 2005-06 crop, some 9 million hectares of genetically modified soybeans were planted out of a total 22 million. This season should see an additional 2 million hectares of genetically modified soy following last years' ruling by the government that permitted GMO soy to be planted. Brazil soy growers are expected to plant under 21 million hectares of soy in the 2006-07 crop. For more information, please click here.

Dutch to transform methanol plant to biofuels
A consortium of Dutch and Belgian investors has said that it had bought a methanol plant in the Netherlands to transform it into the world's first biomethanol plant, producing 1 billion liters of green petrol per year. The plant was taken out of production a few months ago due to competition from oil-producing nations which use their excess natural gas to produce low-cost fossil methanol. For more information, please click here.

Hungary sets limits for GM crops
Hungary's parliament has overwhelmingly backed legislation which severely restricts the planting of genetically modified crops (GMOs). The Act came despite a plea from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences for more liberal legislation. Under the law, a buffer zone 400m (1,320ft) wide will have to exist between any GMOs and adjacent fields.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6190720.stm

EU will not appeal WTO ruling
The EU will not appeal against a World Trade Organisation ruling that it illegally blocked genetically modified (GMO) food imports. For more information, please click here.

7 December 2006; Symposium on Orphan Medicines; Belgian Parliament, Brussels For more information, please click here.

14-15 December, 2006: EuroBioForum; Finlandia Hall, Helsinki
EuroBioForum will provide an opportunity to participate in new developments in research, development and innovation. For more information, please visit the website: www.esf.org/eurobiofund/helsinki

22 - 23 January 2007- 2nd EPPOSI Workshop on the Value of Innovation Dublin Castle, Ireland. For further information, please visit http://www.epposi.org/.

11-14 March 2007 Lyon, France
 BioVision - The World Life Sciences Forum is a global platform for dialogue and vigorous debate between Science, Society and Industry leading to concrete recommendations for action. EuropaBio is delighted to be partner of this event.  EuropaBio Special registration rates for Members, also ask EuropaBio for details of the sponsoring package. http://www.biovision.org/


EuropaBio
Avenue de l'Armée 6
B-1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 735 03 13
Fax: +32 2 735 49 60
Email:a.cornea@europabio.org
website:http://www.europabio.org/