More than 200 professionals from 120 companies across eight countries gather for the fifth edition of the AseBio Green Innovation Forum

The Baluarte Conference Center in Pamplona (Navarra) hosted the fifth edition of the Green Innovation Forum on November 19. Organized by AseBio and the Government of Navarra through the public company Sodena, the forum brought together over 200 professionals from 120 companies across eight countries to discuss the opportunities biotechnology offers as a key tool in transitioning to a more sustainable, carbon-neutral, and greener economic model.

"Currently, a plan is being developed to promote synthetic biology in Navarra from a business-oriented perspective. Our clear goal is to position Navarra as one of the leading regions in this field, fostering an innovative, sustainable, and collaborative business ecosystem that drives economic growth, scientific progress, and improved quality of life. We are convinced this can be a valuable tool in the ecological transition," stated Mikel Irujo Amezaga, Minister of Industry, Ecological Transition, and Digital Business of the Government of Navarra, during the forum's opening remarks.

This year's program focused on seven key sessions addressing critical aspects of the green transition, such as the role of omics technologies in nutrition and food tech, challenges and opportunities in synthetic biology, biotechnology’s role in soil protection, regulatory hurdles surrounding new genome editing techniques, strategies for achieving a carbon-neutral world, and the importance of collaboration and knowledge transfer in the bioeconomy, among other topics.

"Biotechnology is an indispensable tool to address the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. Climate change, resource scarcity, and biodiversity loss demand innovative and sustainable solutions. It is imperative to develop biotechnological technologies that are not only effective but also respect ecosystems and communities. This platform, which emphasizes the exchange of ideas, collaboration, and synergy generation, offers a unique opportunity to unite efforts and build a more sustainable future," emphasized Adriana Casillas, Vice President of AseBio and CEO & Co-founder of Tebrio.

The Green Innovation Forum also provided a space for generating new business and investment opportunities. Its partnering platform facilitated over 200 one-on-one meetings, and nearly a dozen companies had the chance to present their business plans to an audience of 16 professional investors.

"This forum represents a collective commitment to a greener and more sustainable future. The recent storm Dana in the Valencian Community has resulted in another natural disaster, once again highlighting the urgency to react and act. Europe must remain vigilant and invest in sectors like biotechnology, which plays a crucial role in finding innovative solutions that make a meaningful contribution to the planet's well-being," concluded Rocío Arroyo, President of AseBio.