Biotechnology’s designation as a critical technology by the EU is recognition of its role within the transformation of traditional industrial ecosystems towards a healthier and greener future, with competitiveness and security as a key feature. With a global race underway, the winners will be those regions and companies that are positioned as market leaders in the use of biotech at scale. Building on its strong innovation base and existing biotechnology capacity, the EU is well-positioned to lead this race and secure a globally competitive and resilient economy powered by biotech innovation.

EuropaBio welcomes the Initiative on Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU whilst calling for ambition and urgency in its implementation. This ambition must be reflected in the 2024-2029 EU strategic and legislative agendas and next EU budget to support the path to a globally competitive and resilient EU. EuropaBio calls on the Commission, Parliament and Council to take ownership of the Initiative at the highest political level with dedicated structures within each institutions driving the success of this Initiative.

As recognised by the COMPET Council in its May 2024 Conclusions, biotechnology integration and application is an elemental part of EU industrial policy. It provides a strong engine for growth and competitiveness across EU countries, regions, and industries, including agri-food, health, defence, manufacturing, and consumer products. Biotech also enhances EU autonomy and resilience through providing novel and substitute products and materials in critical sectors, complementing EU efforts to improve autonomy for critical raw materials.

EuropaBio and its members are committed to work in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to guarantee the success of this Initiative. EuropaBio has identified the following three key goals in support of the studies and actions in the Initiative:

1. Ensuring a holistic approach for EU legislation to be a key enabler for development, deployment and scale up of biotech by fostering an attractive environment for R&D into biotech products for Europe and the world.
2. Boosting investments into biotech industries in the EU to ensure innovators can create, scale-up, and grow into global industry leaders.
3. Fostering visibility, recognition, and delivery for European biotech innovation across the EU to support the development of globally competitive biotech industries that benefit economies, societies, and citizens.