Innovators Magazine was a proud media partner again this year of EuropaBio’s annual European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology & the Bioeconomy (EFIB), which took place this week in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius.
The event attracted nearly 300 members of the rapidly growing EU biotech community, including scientists, policy makers, academics, investors and civil society.
“We were delighted again to bring together the biotech community and discuss how industrial biotechnology can contribute to new generation economies and a more sustainable society. There is growing understanding from the EU policymakers about the needs of the industry, but we still need to work further towards better regulation, continued investments, and simplified access to finance for our SMEs in Europe. I am pleased to see that EFIB serves as a platform to start many valuable new relationships that will lead to new products and solutions the world so desperately needs,’’ said Trish Malarkey, EuropaBio Chair, representing DSM.
The event’s SME BioForum was a space for dozens of SMEs to debate the biggest barriers to growth and discuss the regulatory solutions that might overcome them.
Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal market, in his video statement said: “SMEs are at the heart of the bio-based innovation, but they are also the first to suffer from lack of funding. This is why I welcome your initiative to launch SME BioForum for industrial biotechnology and the bioeconomy under the hospices of this conference. It will help us to ensure that they are fully embarked on this journey.”
And with the right levels of support it is an industry, EuropaBio says, that can lead the green transition.
“Europe needs to recognise its own biotechnology industry as a key enabler in the green transition, through facilitating innovation ecosystems, regulation for investment and a workforce for a modern economy,” said Dr Claire Skentelbery, Director General of EuropaBio.
Next up, the Netherlands
Rotterdam will welcome next year‘s EFIB event in October 2023 and will be hosted by HollandBio and Chemistry NL.
“EFIB is EuropaBio’s flagship meeting that celebrates industrial biotechnology and it’s role in all our lives. I am delighted that our biotechnology and the bioeconomy community will gather together next year in the Netherlands, a country where biotech industry is particularly strong in industrial and environmental applications,” added Dr Claire Skentelbery, Director General of EuropaBio.
