'Biotechnology is here' says EuropaBio's Secretary General Johan Vanhemelrijck
In an interview with theparliament.com, EuropaBio's Secretary General, Johan Vanhemelrijck, gave his reaction to the EU Council of Ministers' support of the commission’s mid-term policy review of the EU’s life science and biotechnology strategy. This stated that Europe must take advantage of the technology by addressing the regulatory environment and improving access to capital
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EU Commission hosts international conference on Biofuels
An “International Conference on Biofuels” hosted by External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner took place in Brussels on the 5th and 6th July 2007 with the participation of ministers and business leaders from around the world.
For more information, click here.

Assessing bioethical practices
A new project, led by EuropaBio member France Biotech, will assess bioethical practices inside small and medium sized biotech companies. The assessment questioinnaire will be distributed to 100 of the most innovative companies. We are targeting companies in the following five areas - Cell and gene therapies, Stem Cells, NanoBiotech, BioBanks and/or diagnostics. So if your company or any of your member companies work in these areas and would like to take part in the first research project of its kind – we would very much appreciate hearing from you.
If you would be willing and able to be part of this first ever research of its type, please contact EuropaBio's Adeline Farrelly.

Exhibition biotechnology@phaeno
Phaeno, Germany’s science centre, is planning to showcase biotechnology in a permanent Wolfsburg-based exhibition scheduled to start in 2009. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has guaranteed to subsidise the exhibition. Phaeno is looking to team up with companies in the field to present the basic principles and applicability of biotechnology in an educational, interactive exhibition aimed at the general public. There is scope for companies to get involved with their own concepts and ideas. Interested companies may contact Mareike Wilms, email: mareike.wilms@phaeno.de. For information on phaeno, click here

"How to YIC" handbook available now
This handbook is a how-to guide for policy makers looking to implement a tax incentive package for young, innovative companies (YICs). This handbook is now available on the YIC status website and is part of the FP6 project “Realisation of Young Innovative Company Status, YIC, for biotech companies” supported by the EU Commission.
For more information, click here.

No change in WHO's system for naming pharmaceutical substances
WHO has decided that the current International Nonproprietary Names (INN) systems relating to biologicals is either working well, or will have to remain in place because there is currently no alternative solution. Natural blood products, vaccines, cell and tissue therapy products will continue to remain outside the INN system, however small peptides intended for use as ‘peptide’ vaccines will now be included.
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Call for input into EMEA Q&A on Gene Therapy
EuropaBio has been given the opportunity to provide the EMEA Gene Therapy Working Party with a document of questions and answers that are of interest to companies active in the field. The purpose of this Q&A, intended to be publicly available on the EMEA website, is to help gene therapy companies to get more clarification and transparency in their product development. The deadline for submissions is 24 August.
For more information, contact EuropaBio's Stefanie Pingitzer.

 

DG Agriculture study on low level GM presence
The EU Commission's DG Agri published its first ever report on the Economic Impact caused by EU Unapproved GM crops on Europe's feed imports and livestock production.  EuropaBio and partners welcomed the study and called on the institutions to address the issue of low level presence in a statement and Q&A document that responds to the study.
For the Commission's study, click here
For our Industry statement, click here

EU Council: No decision on Amflora
The Council of Agricultural ministers failed to reach a definitive decision on the commercial cultivation of BASF’s gm crop “Amflora”. Under EU law, the EU Commission now has to decide upon the approval of the Amflora potato. The Commission initiated the approval process by showing support for the cultivation of Amflora with a recommendation for approval in their ‘Draft Commission Decision’. The EU Commission’s approval is prerequisite for commercial cultivation of Amflora. When approved, BASF’s starch potato will be the first genetically enhanced product to be permitted for cultivation in Europe since 1998.
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EP abandons co-decision on enzymes
The EP opted, on 10 July, for a simplified EU procedure for the evaluation and authorisation of enzymes, additives and aromas substances via the new comitology procedure involving a 'meticulous examination', that also gives it the right to intervene if necessary.
For more information, click here.


 

Novozymes receives Proggy award
Novozymes has received the Proggy award for Best Innovation, which is handed out each year by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).  This year Novozymes has been recognized for its efforts in connection with the development of alternative test methods that can reduce the number of animal experiments.  
For more information, click here.