Biotechnology’s Contribution to an Innovative and Competitive Europe
Speaking at the European Track at BioVision Commissioner Günter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission says about biotechnology that Europe needs to say: “We want it, we need it, we support it, as the backbone of industry in Europe.”
Full speech
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/226&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EU biotech poorly financed
Critical I present a comparative study of the biotech industry across the US and fifteen European states. The study that includes pharmaceutical and agro-food biotech companies, says that the “financing gap” between US and the EU and especially the “lack of suitable financial infrastructure in the business cycle“ are the main barriers to the growth of the EU’s biotech industry.
For the full report, go to: 
 http://www.europabio.org/events/BioVision/CriticalI%20studyBiotech-Europ.pdf

Biotech stars in new 7^th Framework Programme
This is one of the main instruments for the European Commission to fund scientific research and technological development over the period 2007 to 2013; biotech in healthcare, white and green occupies for the first time one of the most important parts of the research programme.  This will carry a budget of more than EUR 70 billion euros – if Member State Governments and European Parliament agree.  Companies will need to lobby to maintain the Commission proposal…..
Commission FP 7 programme: http://www.cordis.lu/fp7/
EuropaBio press release: http://www.europabio.org/articles/PR_050406_FP7.doc

 

Some members of the European Parliament want ban on cloning, embryo research
Center-right and Green Party members say they want assurances from the European Commission that the new seventh research framework program will not lead to EU funding for human cloning and embryo research. EUpolitix.com

Commission clarifies its ethical framework for research:
Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research, has indicated that the European Commission proposes to continue the current strict ethical framework within the future research programme.
http://dbs.cordis.lu/fep-cgi/srchidadb?CALLER=FP7_NEWS&ACTION=D&QM_EN_RCN_A=23650

Measures to implement biofuels in Europe
A discussion forum will take place in Brussels (Borschette Building) on May 26, 2005.
Member States and other stakeholders are invited to take part in the event to discuss possible measures to accelerate market introduction of biofuels. A detailed programme will be made available on www.premia-eu.org.

GMO: unauthorised Bt10 enters the EU
Syngenta discovered that Bt10 was present in a very small number of its Bt11 corn breeding lines and disclosed the finding to USDA, EPA and FDA who then informed the EU authorities.  These agencies have said that there is no issue with the corn’s food safety however the EU Commission introduced an emergency measure requiring certification of US exports to be Bt10 free. The US mission says the Commission is overreacting
European Commission press release: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/437&format
Syngenta website:  http://www.syngenta.com/en/index.aspx
Syngenta statements on bt10: http://www.syngenta.com/en/news/syng_stats_bt10.aspx

 

20-22 April 2005 – Joint EuropaBio and BIO World Congress on Industrial biotechnology and Bioprocessing opens in Orlando, Florida. 
WWW.BIO.org/World Congress

26 April 2005 - 2nd BIA Business Development Forum, London
The BIA is holding its second full-day Business Development Forum, sponsored by Stringer Saul and Bridgehead International, and with the support of the BIA Business Development Working Group. For the full programme, please go to http://www.bioindustry.org/biodocuments/BIA_BusDev05.pdf

26 – 27 April 2005 - BioFinland - Helsinki (Finland)
BioFinland 2005 is a two-day biotechnology congress that will bring together scientists, entrepreneurs and investors in the emerging biotech sector.  The congress with its theme Genomic Drug Discovery will approach the entire drug discovery chain from bench to bedside. 
http://www.biofinland.fi

6 June 2005 -  The 9^th Biotech & Finance Forum invites Europe's top (venture-backed) biotechnology and Life Sciences entrepreneurs seeking partnerships, market visibility and growth capital to network with European venture capital investors and key corporate contacts. www.e-unlimited.com/bff

21 – 22 June 2005 – How to obtain funds from the EU Research programmes - Open Courses in Brussels
Hyperion (www.hyperion.ie) is organising training courses on Framework 6 in Brussels. The normal cost for each participant is €375. Europabio has agreed a special rate for Europabio members of €275 euro per participant. The last training courses were heavily booked so you should book places as early as possible. The courses will be held in Brussels.  To book a place on any of the courses please email mary.mccarthy@hyperion.ie Participants can attend individual courses. Details of all courses can be found on www.hyperion.ie

21-22 June 2005 -  European Conference on rare diseases in Luxembourg
 www.rare-luxembourg2005.org

1 – 3 July 2005 - 2nd International Greek Biotechnology Forum (IGBF2) - Athens (Greece)
IGBF2 will bring together international science, technology and business.  http://www.igbf.gr




9-11 October 2005 - Cordia and BioPartnering Europe, London
This week begins with Europe's longest-running partnering event, BioPartnering Europe (October 9th-11th) and continues with the second edition of CORDIA Biotechnology Convention (October 11th -13th).  CORDIA is a high-level business conference and an international exhibition to promote your research and services to new business partners and suppliers from a diverse range of global companies.
BioPartnering Europe -  http://www.techvision.com/bpe/about/  
Cordia - www.cordiaconvention.com

18 -20 October - BIOTECHNICA 2005 - International Trade Fair for Biotechnology, Hannover, Germany
Most important biotechnology exposition in Europe with about 1.000 exhibitors and 13.000 visitors from 25 countries. Fields of applications: Pharmaceuticals/Medicine, Environment, Agriculture, Food/Nutrition, Bioinformatics, Services, Equipment . http://www.biotechnica.de

28 – 30 November 2005 - European Biotech Crossroads, Lille, France
The 2005 edition will offer the biotechnology community a unique occasion to share new scientific knowledge, foster innovation, gather funding and seize new market opportunities. http://www.europeanbiotechcrossroads.com
 

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