Biotech strategy plan gets EU backing
pharmafile | October 22, 2003 | News story | |Â Â Â
The European Union has acknowledged the need for a strong biotech industry by the adoption of a strategy it hopes will lead to a more competitive biotech sector.
The EU Competitiveness Council adopted the European Commission strategy and 30-point action plan, 'Life sciences and biotechnology A Strategy for Europe', which highlights the key issues and provides specific measures needed to boost biotech in Europe.
The plan addresses themes such as the development of a strong scientific knowledge base, the importance of intellectual property and a solid regulatory environment, detailing the steps that stakeholders which include the European Commission and Parliament, member states, academia, industry and ethical bodies should take between now and 2010.
"Biotechnology is the next wave of the knowledge-based economy and biotechnology research is crucial for strengthening European competitiveness in this field", said Enterprise and Information Commissioner Erkki Liikanen.
The Commission's strategy also states the need for increased biotech networking and the development of research clusters as seen in the US and greater societal involvement, especially in the area of ethics.
"The success of the biotechnology strategy will only be assured if the technology is built on a basis of societal trust", said Commissioner Liikanen. "It is vital that developments and in particular public policy-making takes place with a maximum of transparency. We need to encourage public dialogue throughout Europe to ensure that societal goals are met and public concerns are addressed".
A budget of E2.2 billion has been allocated to biotechnology and the life sciences by the EU's sixth Research Framework Programme (FP6) between 2003 and 2006, which aims to raise R&D investment from 1.9% to 3% of European GDP by 2010.
The pharma industry welcomed the recognition of biotech's importance as a key driver for European competitiveness and economic growth, but said that more was required to protect and foster innovation.
"Spending money on research is fine", said industry group EFPIA.."But without a system that rewards innovation, the prospects for industry's ability to innovate and to deliver new medicines will not be enhanced".
EFPIA says the failure of the Competitiveness Council to agree on a community patent continues to limit the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises and has called for the implementation of the EC biotech patent directive by the nine member states yet to do so.
