EuropaBio

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

EuropaBio
Type European association
Founded 1996
Headquarters Brussels, Belgium
Key people Steen Riisgaard (Novozymes), Chairman
Johan Vanhemelrijck, Secretary General
Industry Biotechnology
Website http://www.europabio.org

EuropaBio (The European Association for Bioindustries) was created in 1996. It represents the interests of the biotech industry at European level so that legislation encourages and enables biotechnology companies in Europe to innovate and provide for the society unmet needs.


EuropaBio represents the three traditional sectors of the biotech industry.

  • The white or industrial biotechnology is the application of biotechnology for industrial purposes, including manufacturing, alternative energy (or "bioenergy"), and biomaterials.
  • The red or medical biotechnology is the application of biotechnology for the production of medicines and therapies.
  • The green biotechnology which is a collection of technologies using plant organisms and plant cells for the production or transformation of food, biomaterials and energy.


The association regularly publishes industry’s position papers, news on European biotechnology developments and political news impacting the technology on its website.


Contents

[edit] Activity & Goals

EuropaBio is engaged in dialogue with the European institutions and contribute to the creation of legislation for bioindustries. It ensures a steady flow of information about biotechnology to the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers.


EuropaBio:

  • promotes[1] an innovative and dynamic biotechnology-based industry in Europe,
  • advocates free and open markets and the removal of barriers to competitiveness with other areas of the world,
  • is committed to an open, informed dialogue with all stakeholders about the ethical, social and economic aspects of biotechnology and its applications and
  • champions the responsible use of biotechnology to ensure that its potential is fully used to the benefit of humans and their environment.


EuropaBio's primary focus is the European Union but because of the global character of the biotech business, it also represents its members in transatlantic and worldwide fora.


The association policy goals are:

  • the Policy Coherence Goal - Building policy consistency and predictable rules for all biotech sectors.
  • the Regulatory Goal - Improving the European regulatory environment for biotechnology.
  • the IPR Goal - Protecting Europe’s intellectual property – promoting a robust regime.
  • the Finance Goal - Funding the future – ensuring financing for Young Innovative Companies.
  • the Awareness Goal - Bridging the gap – building public awareness of the benefits of biotech.
  • the Research Goal - Supporting research excellence.
  • the Access Goal - patients and consumers have the right to fair and equitable access to the products and services issued from biotechnology.

[edit] Organisation

EuropaBio[2] has a board of management made up of representatives from among its members. In September 2007, Steen Riisgaard (President & CEO of Novozymes) was appointed for two years as Chair of the Board.

The Board is assisted by sectoral councils representing the main segments of EuropaBio - healthcare (red biotech), industrial (white biotech), agriculture (green biotech) and emerging enterprises.

Experts from member companies and national associations participate in EuropaBio's working groups which cover a very wide range of issues and areas of concern of biotech enterprises.

EuropaBio Secretary General is Dr. Johan Vanhemelrijck. As of July 1st 2008, Willy De Greef will become the new Secretary General of EuropaBio[3].

[edit] Members

In 2007[4], the association gathered 83 corporate members operating worldwide, 11 associate members including 5 BioRegions and 25 national biotechnology associations. Through the national associations, EuropaBio represents 1800 small and medium-sized enterprises involved in research, development, testing, manufacturing and commercialisation of biotechnology applications.

[edit] National Associations

[edit] Corporate Members

[edit] Associate Members

  • BIO
  • Genoma España
  • Biotechnica

[edit] BioRegion Members

  • Agencia BioBask
  • FlandersBio
  • Bio Mitteldeutschland GmbH
  • BioRegioN Gmbh
  • Europol Agro


[edit] See also


[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ EuropaBio - Mission
  2. ^ EuropaBio - How we are organised?
  3. ^ Press release - Willy De Greef appointed new Secretary General of EuropaBio
  4. ^ Annual Report 2007