SAVE THE DATE: EUROPABIO OPEN DAY, 14 JUNE 2007
To find out about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rebecca Weaver  r.weaver@europabio.org

European Parliament environment committee to re-examine advanced therapies Regulation
Proposals on the regulation of  ‘advanced therapies’  will return to the European Parliament’s environment committee on 22 January and will be the subject of a plenary vote in March. ('Advanced therapies' covers three new techniques that are revolutionising modern medicine: cell therapy, gene therapy and tissue engineering.) Last October the committee rejected the proposal, which would standardise rules across the EU, after arguments over the so-called ethical amendments. For more information, please contact Stephanie Pingitzger, s.pingitzer@europabio.org

FDA announces safety of food products from cloned animals and their offspring
The FDA has published a draft risk assessment that found that the meat and milk products from cloned animals and their offspring are safe for human consumption. Two other documents – a draft guidance to industry and a proposed risk management plan for animal clones and their offspring – were also published. The draft risk assessment and the draft guidance to industry will be open for public comment for a 90-day period. These materials are all available on the FDA web site by clicking here. 
 

Industrial biotechnology policy agenda for Europe published
The European biotech industry has published a new Industrial Biotechnology Policy Agenda for Europe. Over the last two years the industry has worked out a set of practical steps to realise the vision of a Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy (KBBE), where biotechnology’s new, clean, energy-efficient processes and innovative bio-based products create a sustainable industrial base to ensure Europe’s future prosperity. To see the Agenda, please click here.

Ireland, France and UK top EU rankings for helping start-ups
Ireland, France, and the United Kingdom have the best tax and legal environments for supporting venture capital in Europe, while Germany, Norway, Sweden, and the EU accession countries still lag behind their peers, according to a study.
For more information, please visit the website: http://www.evca.com/html/home.asp

Europe's patent system discouraging innovation?
The European biotechnology industry is in danger of foundering unless the right conditions for innovation, such as a harmonised patent system and increased funding, are created. This was the resounding message from participants at a seminar organised by the European Life Science Circle and the European Patent Office (EPO) on 19 December 2006. For more information, please click here.

European Commission issues Biofuels Progress Report
The European Commission has issued a communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament reporting on the progress made in the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels in the Member States of the European Union. For more information, please click here.

Lisbon Strategy- National Reform Plans: huge challenges still ahead
The European Commission presented on 12 December the long-awaited first assessment of the relaunch of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. Its main points have been known since October and, as Commission President José Manuel Barroso repeated, the situation is "more or less positive" depending on the member state, in the light of the review of the National Reform Plans (NRPs). "The process is working, however, and is starting to produce results," observed Barroso. That is indeed the case when the situation is looked at from a distance. Boosted by a welcome upturn in the economy, the member states set in motion an encouraging dynamic at the end of 2005, although the Commission report naturally points out that "the level of the EU's future performance will depend in large measure on continuing the present reforms". For more information, please click here.

EuropaBio is a proud supporter of BioVision
The 5th edition of BioVision (March 11 – 14, 2007 - in Lyon, France) will gather leading international experts from science, industry and society to debate and agree actions for change. The Forum will review a number of critical current issues: from the ethical and scientific conditions of stem-cell research for regenerative cell therapies to the application of nanotechnologies to health and environment fields, from the development of bio energy solutions in response to global warming to water rarefaction. Ten Pre-conferences were held during 2006 to set the stage for the debate and to ensure that the Forum goes beyond stimulating dialogue and examines concrete and necessary actions. EuropaBio has negoitated a special discount for members. For more information, please contact Rebecca Weaver, r.weaver@europabio.org

Fourth Annual Report and Survey of Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacity and Production released
BioPlan Associates released 4th Annual Report and Survey of Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacity and Production that summarizes information obtained from 337 worldwide biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

The EuropaBio sponsored report includes in-depth analysis of 2006 data, industry capacity, production trends and benchmarks. It stresses that there are currently over 2100 large molecule biotechnology medicines in clinical trials around the world, and nearly 3600 in preclinical development that target nearly 150 disease states. The question of whether current manufacturing capacity and production performance are sufficient to deal with the challenge becomes an important strategic issue.
EuropaBio members will receive a 10% discount when ordering the Report on line: http://www.bioplanassociates.com/knowledge/pub_bmcp4.htm

New Guidelines for scientists on communicating with the media
As part of a European Commission FP6 project (MESSENGER), new guidelines for scientists on how to communicate most effectively with the media have been produced by the Social Issues Research Centre (SIRC) in partnership with the Amsterdam School of Communications Research (ASCoR).
The Guidelines and other materials from the MESSENGER project are available at http://www.sirc.org/messenger/.
 

Fraunhofer "Lab 2020" – Online Trendstudy for Europe 2007
“Lab 2020” is a research project initiated by the Fraunhofer Institutes for Industrial Engineering IAO and for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB. The project is looking to build a basis for improving the quality of use and efficiency of lab environments for the life sciences (public and industry funded research for biotech, pharma etc.) The goal of the European Trendstudy 2007 is to find out about trends and important factors in lab design. To participate please visit: http://www.lab2020-survey.de

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

14 - 15 February 2007- Training, Biofuel:  A new market niche; London, UK
For further information, please visit http://www.vostockcapital.com/

11-14 March 2007 - BioVision & BioSquare; Lyon, France

Registrations are open on : www.biovision.org  and www.biosquare.com
EuropaBio Special registration rates for Members, also ask EuropaBio for details of the sponsoring package. For more information, please contact Rebecca Weaver, r.weaver@europabio.org

21-24 March: World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing; Orlando, Florida (USA); http://www.bio.org/worldcongress

26-28 March: DIA (Drug Information Association) EuroMeeting; Vienna, Austria
Major EU conference for pharmaceutical and biotech industry. For more information, please click here. 

29-30 March:  London Edge Initiative: Life Science; London, UK
The London Edge Initiative: Life Sciences showcases UK and international quoted and pre-IPO companies in the healthcare sector to institutional investors. To register or for enquiries please contact: Tel: Mary Clark or Halina Kukula on +44 (0) 20 7307 5340; Email: londonedge.lse@capitalmsl.com Fax: +44 (0) 20 7307 5331

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