press release 20.03.2024

We would like to present the EU Commission’s strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the biotechnology landscape across Europe which was presented on March 20th 2024 by Margrethe Vestager, Executive VP of the European Commission who emphasized the key role of biotechnology in addressing prominent global challenges. From climate change to healthcare challenges, biotech offers solutions with transformative potential.

The EU’s multifaceted strategy entails powering research and encouraging innovation through a comprehensive study examining the EU’s standing compared to global leaders in biotechnology. Furthermore, exploration of the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Synthetic Biology Accelerator (EU IBISBA) will be undertaken to accelerate innovation. To enhance market competitiveness, bio-based products must demonstrate their superior environmental impact. Thus, the Commission will conduct an in-depth assessment of fossil-based and bio-based products, along with a thorough examination of the feasibility of bio-based content requirements in specific product categories and public procurement.

The EU endeavors to streamline regulatory pathways and explore potential simplifications to facilitate the introduction of biotech innovations to market by mid-2025. Initiatives could result in laying the foundation for a potential EU Biotech Act and intruiguingly, establishing an European Biotech Hub by the conclusion of 2024.

Further collaboration and synergies will intensively be strengthened within Europe by offering support for structured exchanges and awareness-raising initiatives under the GenAI4EU initiative which is believed to accelerate AI uptake in biotech and biomanufacturing.

Moreover, advocacy for the integration of biotech and biomanufacturing in the European Innovation Council accelerator Work Programme 2025 is a key focus. Additionally, a study to identify barriers and facilitate investment consolidation will be launched by the end of 2024.

Efforts will be directed towards offering upskilling and reskilling opportunities in biotech and biomanufacturing through Large-Scale and Regional Skills Partnerships, potentially through the Erasmus+ programme.
As a way forward, the Commission will explore international partnerships with major stakeholders such as the US, India, Japan, and South Korea to collaborate on research, technology transfer, regulatory matters, and market access to address both, health and global food security aspects.

If you wish to explore more details of the EU’s recent communication paper to bolster biotechnology and biomanufacturing, find more information here.