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Biotechnology emerges as a key industry in the future strategy of the European Union

During the 5th and 6th of October 2023, Granada hosted meetings of the European Political Community (EPC) and the heads of state or government of the EU, where the strategic priorities for the future of Europe were discussed.

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The city of Granada became the epicenter of the debate on the future of Europe during the 5th and 6th of October as it hosted the meetings of the European Political Community (EPC) and the gathering of the heads of state or government of the European Union. These were two milestones of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with the mission of addressing the strategic priorities of the continent.

These were two events where discussions revolved around the future of Europe at a crucial moment from a geopolitical perspective. Beyond the analysis of the current changes and transformations in the world, the EPC discussions focused on challenges such as digitization, the major energy debates that have occurred in Europe in recent years, ecological transition, the challenges posed by climate change, multilateralism, and geostrategy in the face of events like the war in Ukraine.

The informal meeting of the heads of state or government held on the 6th of October among the Twenty-Seven set the foundations for the debate on the pillars of the future Strategic Agenda 2024-2029. Among the established priorities, the concept of Open Strategic Autonomy (OSA) and how to advance the development of the European Union to make it more resilient stand out, among other topics.

Just last week, the European Commission initiated a process to review the existing risk of dependency in four areas considered essential for the future of Europe: advanced microchips, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology, and to adopt measures aimed at reducing current dependency in these areas.

The horizon that Europe envisions is not without its challenges. The pandemic caused by Covid-19, along with the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis, have highlighted strategic dependencies in key supply chains. These are challenges where biotechnology has proven to be crucial in providing solutions.

The biotechnology industry, crucial in the face of European challenges

Biotechnology is driving significant disruptions that have a major impact on health, food, and the sustainability of the planet. The most recent example can be found in the development of Covid-19 vaccines based on mRNA technology. Investments in R&D have enabled the biotechnology sector to address major challenges such as discovering new drugs, combating antibiotic resistance, and developing vaccines, among many others. In the realm of human health, biotechnology is behind 68% of the drugs currently in development, and in recent years, it has led the fight against cancer with advancements in precision medicine and advanced therapies.

In addition to its potential as a catalyst for improving people's health, biotechnology is crucial in addressing the challenges facing the old continent due to its transformative effect and significant impact on areas like agriculture, food, and socioeconomic well-being.

For these reasons, given Spain's scientific and technological potential in both the public and private sectors, Spain has a responsibility to give a new boost to the biotechnology sector. Biotechnology stands as a key sector in responding to the European challenges presented in the recent Summit held in Granada, so the commitment to strategic industries for the future of the European Union, such as biotechnology, cannot continue to be a matter of debate in the construction of the desired resilient future.

"Life To Biotechnology" Campaign

The Spanish biotechnology community is fully committed to recognizing the sector as a strategic player in building the new European future. This is why, through the Spanish Association of Biotech Companies (AseBio), we call for a national effort to promote and renew Spain's commitment to the biotechnology sector. Thus, the "Life To Biotechnology" campaign was born.

This initiative is based on a Commitment consisting of six key actions:

  • Recognition of biotechnology as a key sector for Spain and Europe's strategic autonomy.
  • Establishment of a fund for strategic deep technologies that strengthens and maximizes the potential of the biotechnology industry in Spain.
  • Acceleration of the market entry of biotechnological innovations with specific tools and regulation appropriate to their nature and impact.
  • Promotion of talent for the future biotechnology industry.
  • Fostering biotechnological R&D through collaborative models and suitable incentives.
  • Strengthening the role of the public administration as a driving force for innovation.

The main mission of the "Life To Biotechnology" campaign is to highlight and give visibility to the biotechnology sector as a highly innovative and strategic industry in Spain. This is a task that is the responsibility of all. Join the Commitment and share your proposals to give #LifeToBiotechnology. The more signatures and proposals we gather, the greater our ability to convey the needs of the biotechnology sector and unleash its full potential.

At AseBio, our goal is to raise awareness of the strategic relevance of biotechnology to ensure social and economic well-being and the impact of this deep tech industry on the economy, people's lives, and the sustainability of the planet. These are ultimately the main pillars on which the European response begins to take shape in the face of the challenges facing the future of the European Union.

Access all the information about the #LifeToBiotechnology campaign

"Life To Biotechnology" Commitment

All the information to join the #LifeToBiotechnology campaign