SME Platform - Europabio

About the Platform

Biotech small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) are among Europe's most dynamic innovators. From novel food and industrial processes to cutting-edge therapies, biotech SMEs are driving Europe's transition towards a healthier, more sustainable and prosperous continent.

EuropaBio's SME Platform brings together these companies from across all biotech sectors. The Platform is made of EuropaBio and its national associations SME members - counting, since 2025, to over 4500 companies.

In the Platform, SME executives are connected. They share experiences, identify common challenges and propose policy recommendations. From their insights, the Platform creates all sorts of materials to tell and amplify their stories - including reports, case studies, audio and video records. Through EuropaBio, these small companies' executives engage regularly with senior European and national policymakers and key opinion leaders.

Priorities

Ensure intellectual property and biopatents protection to raise and de-risk investments.
Improve access to investment and funding, including private investment in capital markets.
Improve market access for innovative therapies, fermentation products, and novel foods, including removing barriers within the single market.
Voice for emerging market applications, such as cultured meat.
Reduce regulatory burden, including lengthy risk assessments for industrial biotechnology products.
Technology and knowledge transfer between academia, research centres, investors and industry.
Development and attraction of skilled professionals.
Contribute to upcoming policy proposals, such as the Startup and Scaleup strategy, the European Innovation and Research Area Acts, and the Biotech Act.

Priorities

The SME Platform has priorities developed with Members for work with Member and external SMEs throughout the year. Priorities in 2021 include:

Policy developments of significance to Healthcare and Industrial Biotechnology SMEs

Financial development pathways for SMEs
SME representation in the 25th EuropaBio Anniversary programme
Presentation of the Start Up City at the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology