Brussels, 09 Jun 2005

A new study for the European Association for Bioindustries (EuropaBio) finds the European biotechnology sector in good health compared with the USA. It is as dynamic as its US counterpart but lack of finance continues to dog the industry. There is more to biotechnology than genetically modified organisms, indeed "…preoccupation with GMOs is not only scientifically unwarranted, it is also economically inappropriate", notes the report. ©PhotoDisc There is more to biotechnology than genetically modified organisms, indeed "…preoccupation with GMOs is not only scientifically unwarranted, it is also economically inappropriate", notes the report. © PhotoDisc The study – the first comprehensive comparative study of its kind – identified European biotechnology companies whose primary commercial activity fell within a strict definition of biotechnology outlined by the researchers. This excluded, for instance, clinical research organisations, suppliers of biological reagents for research purposes, medical device companies, biotech incubators and consultancies.

"We apply one definition of biotechnology across all our data sets [to ensure] valid comparison between nations, between trading blocs, between regions, or between different time periods for a single geographical grouping," the researchers explain.

The report concludes that Europe is home to more biotech companies and start-ups than America. In the EU-15 alone, nearly 2 000 biotech companies were identified, compared with just over 1 800 in the USA. What's more, Europe's biotech sector measured up well against the USA, but it is thin on top.

"Elite European companies can compete against US firms for finance, personnel and deals. The problem is," explains John Hodgson, director of Critical I, the biotech consultancy that compiled the report, "there simply aren't enough of them." Europe has more companies but they have smaller equity. Meanwhile, American biotech firms employ twice as many staff, spend close to three times as much on R&D, and raise almost four times more venture capital.

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Recognising the importance of the biotech sector, the EU has been working to rally support to boost investment in the sector, particularly in research, notes a recent BioSociety News report.

European bio-delegation in USA In a related development, the European Commission, the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), an EU executive agency, will travel to the States to attend BIO 2005, a major event in Philadelphia between 19 and 22 June. A joint EU pavilion will highlight Europe's role in supporting research and innovation in the life sciences and promote Europe as a highly competitive knowledge-based economy with opportunities for research, partnering and business.

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At the pavilion, experts from the EU will give hands-on advice to anyone interested in doing life science research and business in Europe. On BIO 2005's International Day (19 June 2005) the EU will showcase 'Doing research in Europe' and 'Doing business in Europe'.

EU delegates will also participate in several conference sessions, including one on innovative approaches to improve drug R&D, one covering the knowledge-based bio-economy, and another comparing European and American patenting in biotechnology. Also on the agenda will be the EU's strategy on the life sciences and biotechnology, including the Commission's 30-point plan for putting policy into action.

The Union's Sixth Research Framework Programme (FP6, 2002-2006) has earmarked some €3 billion for mainly collaborative research projects in the life sciences, including genomics and biotechnology for health and agri-food applications. Researchers from EU Member States – plus countries officially 'associated' with FP6, such as Switzerland and Turkey, and others that signed science and technology co-operation agreements, such as the USA and Canada – can take part in this scheme.

Biotech inventions and findings requiring legal protection are regulated by the EU Biotechnology Directive and intellectual property rights can be ensured with European patents filed at the European Patent Office (EPO). A review of the pharmaceutical regulation in 2004 in the EU resulted in the introduction of a fast-track marketing authorisation procedure for products with a major public health interest for European patients.

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The EU regulatory framework for developing and using genetically modified organisms (GMOs), from farm-to-fork, was adopted in 2004. This completed the EU regulatory framework for agri-food biotechnology. Since then, a number of authorisation procedures related to GMO crops have kicked off in Europe.

DG Research
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