HEADLINES
EU Commissioners on the benefits of biotech
Remember, on 23 June, EuropaBio held its 3rd event on the Benefits of Biotechnology hosted by Philippe De Backer MEP at the European Parliament. Vytenis Andriukaitis, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, and Carlos Moedas, EU Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, were also keynote contributors and their full speeches are now available online.
Promoting innovation while delivering best care for patients
EuropaBio launched a White Paper analysing national practices for publicly procuring complex medicines, such as biologics, in Europe. The paper presents the findings of a survey of EuropaBio member companies about national public procurement practices for biological medicines in the European Economic Area. Based on the best practices identified, it then provides key recommendations to decision-makers on how to develop tenders in such a way as to foster fair market competition and innovation for industry, while at the same time guaranteeing a high level of care for patients.
Call for policy support for innovation in the agri-food sector
“Innovation is the key to sustainable food security”, said Commissioner Hogan on 29 June at the Universal Expo in Milan. The Agri-Food Chain Coalition, representing 11 leading industry associations across the agri-food chain, was pleased by the Commissioner's commitment to stimulate innovation in the sector and presented how innovation could fuel a strong and competitive EU agri-food sector. Read more in the joint declaration
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Healthcare Biotech
Artifical neuron
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have managed to build a fully functional neuron by using organic bioelectronics. This artificial neuron contain no ‘living’ parts, but is capable of mimicking the function of a human nerve cell and communicate in the same way as our own neurons do. Read more in the European Biotechnology Magazine
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Agricultural Biotech
Block GM imports proposal
Giovanni La Via MEP, the chair of the European Parliament’s environment committee, has called MEPs to reject the European Commission’s proposal to extend member states’ power to ban genetically modified crops for imports. It would have “far-reaching consequences” for the farming sector, which is heavily dependent on imported GM protein for animal feed, he told EndsEurope.
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Industrial Biotech
Economic benefits of circular economy
In Scotland, we've made no secret of our ambition to lead the way in moving towards a circular economy: a shift to a circular economy can boost growth, lower emissions and help tackle climate change, argues Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland. Read more in the Parliament Magazine
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KEY DATES TO KEEP IN MIND
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