Healthcare Manifesto [Print version] PDF

Biotech to biotech: where size matters: creating a friendly environment for SMEs and the biotech industry

Life sciences and the resulting biotechnologies are the basis for the creation of more than 2000 new companies in the areas of health, environment, food and all biological systems. These companies are mostly spin-offs from leading universities, comprised of researchers that have found new ways to help doctors and patients. These Young Innovative Enterprises work with capital from different sources, but often are not yet generating revenues. They have high growth potential and are the future backbone of our health care system. Never before have so many companies invested so much in finding new solutions for old problems that were set aside and classed as intractable. To fulfill the Lisbon objectives, Europe needs to reach out to the private sector, especially to areas with high growth potential, like those represented by these Young Innovative Enterprises.

Europe’s emerging entrepreneurial biotech companies are a major driver in building a strong knowledge-based economy in Europe. In several areas, Europe is still at the forefront of innovative research, providing enormous opportunities for SMEs to tap into this research base.

Young Innovative Enterprises have huge growth potential but remain a largely untapped source of innovation and employment growth. EuropaBio calls on EU governments to implement the European State Aid for Research & Development & Innovation, published in November 2006.

• Delivery of communication strategy to inform SMEs of recent positive EU interpretation of the State Aid Rules supporting Young Innovative Enterprises.
  

• Pioneering the industry’s involvement in the EMEA’s activities supporting biotech SMEs (eg: SME days).
  

• Active outreach and assistance to healthcare biotech SMEs to ensure their engagement in FP7.
  

• Continued outreach and education for SMEs through provision of information on EuropaBio website.
  

• Undertaking efforts to ensure harmonized implementation of the EU’s variations regulation in Member States for biotech products  (including direct involvement in Commission survey).