“Bold political moves” needed for biotech
Key changes are still needed in the European biotech industry according to European association for bio-industries, EuropeBio.
Joanna Dupont-Inglis, director of industrial biotechnology at EuropaBio, made the comments ahead of the launch of Horizon 2020 next year, the replacement for FP7. Despite major developments in policy co-ordination and the developments of public private partnerships (PPPs), more work is still needed according to Dupont-Inglis.
“The EU has come a long way in 2012 in terms of its joined-up policy development on the bioeconomy,” she said. “The European Commission adopted its Europe-wide bioeconomy strategy ‘Innovating for Sustainable Growth’ this February and a new EU Industrial Policy Communication adopted this October also points towards the realisation of holistic and co-ordinated policy in this field.
“It identifies priority action lines on markets for Key Enabling Technologies, including industrial biotech and also for bio-based products, reflecting the real potential of this sector to contribute to economic recovery. Crucially, it also highlights the key role of PPPs for Europe as a way of adding value, strengthening competitiveness and getting innovation to market faster.”
The role of PPPs will continue under Horizon 2020 from FP7 and form one of the major tools in in the sector and for the development of new products Dupont-Inglis added.
“The industry proposals, currently under preparation, for a Sustainable Process Industry PPP (SPIRE) and for a bio-based industries PPP, are the tools for delivering these goals,” she stated.
“It is investment in biorefinery demonstration facilities, through initiatives such as SPIRE and bio-based industries PPPs, that will be fundamental in developing thriving EU bio-based product markets.
“Smart investments in sustainable industries to create inclusive value chains are what building a successful bioeconomy is all about. With the EU’s budgets for 2014-2020 now under discussion, it is time for bold political moves that help Europe play to its strengths.”
Dupont-Inglis added: “The EU’s members must give their bioeconomy and bio-based industries a boost to prove that although its wealth of resources and skills may be fragmented, the gaps in these extensive and exciting new value chains can be bridged to help deliver the jobs and growth that Europe needs.”
The bioetechnology sector received funding worth €1.76bn under FP7 and is now expected to collect €509m under Horizon 2020’s Industrial Leadership pillar as a Key Enabling Technology. The sector will also receive a substantial share of the €4.2bn of financing under the ‘food security, sustainable agriculture, maritime research and bio-eceonomy’ objective under the Societal Challenges pillar.
