The evaluation and revision of the general pharmaceutical legislation is the opportunity to create a future-proof, patient-oriented and leading life science and biotechnology sector in the EU.
The first aim of this initiative should be to regain EU’s global leadership as a home for R&D and cutting-edge industry to secure high-quality care for citizens at affordable levels.
New biotechnology-derived vaccines and treatments have helped to tackle numerous life-threatening illnesses. Targeted treatments, like cell and gene therapies, and new mRNA platforms are paving the way for future treatments. COVID-19 has shown that only science-based and high-risk research embedded in a strong life science industry ecosystem can bring the lasting solutions to health challenges.
Emerging biopharmaceutical companies account for over 70% of the research pipeline contributing to a vibrant sector. The EU biotech sector, mostly made up of SMEs, relies on robust IP and targeted incentives that enable companies to raise risk capital, with the prospect of remaining unprofitable for years. It is due to these set of incentives that the EU has retained its capability to produce breakthrough innovation. To keep pace with the rest of the world, future incentives should reflect the economic challenges of developing health innovation.
Join us to find out how investing in R&D for innovative medicines and treatments is essential to support a competitive European biotechnology industry.
Confirmed speakers::
Juozas OLEKAS, Member of the European Parliament, S&D, Lithuania
Stefan Gijssels, SEBOIO Health Policy Consulting and Co-founder of digestive Cancer Europe
Ingrid Maes, Co-founder of Inovigate, 25 years of experience in Life Sciences Expertise in New Product Development and Market Introduction
Isabelle Schubert, Global Head IP Strategy at Novartis
Oskar Slotboom, General Partner at BGV (BioGeneration Ventures)
Algal Omega-3 is an innovative feed product for aquaculture. It reduces the impact on climate change by 30-40% compared to fish oil and saves 60 tons of wild fish for every ton of Algal Omega-3 used.
Cheese is a vegetarian product thanks to biotechnology. Biotechnology is also essential to produce lactose- or cholesterol-free cheese, as well as alternative proteins.
Clothes made from alternative fibres produced by microorganisms can be 8x stronger than steel, 100% recyclable, biodegradable and replace fossil-fuel based or resource-intensive textiles.
The biomanufacturing of Vitamin B2 led to the reduction of 75% of fossil raw materials and 50% operating costs, compared to the chemical process. Vitamin B2 is used in the food, feed or healthcare sectors.
Enzymes and biosurfactancts are alternative ingredients that improve the performance of detergents, while leading to water and energy savings and reductions in CO2 emissions and water toxicity.
Insulin is one of the most widely known biopharmaceutical. Biotechnology revolutionised its manufacturing process and led to the development of new types of insulin through r-DNA technology.