Biotechnology


TIME TO UNDERSTAND


We talk to Nilsy Desaint from EuropaBio about biotechnology and the role it plays in a modern world.


Q. What is EuropaBio and what are its goals?


Nilsy Desaint - EuropaBio is the European As- sociation for Bioindustries and was created in 1996 to provide scientific advice for the biotech industry in Europe. EuropaBio's mission is to promote an innovative and dynamic biotech- nology-based industry in Europe and to reposi- tion communications surrounding the benefits of biotechnology to society. EuropaBio represents 56 corporate mem-


bers, 14 associate members and BIO regions, and 19 national biotechnology associations - in turn representing some 1800 small and medium sized (SMEs) biotech companies in Europe. Members of EuropaBio are involved in re- search, development, testing, manufacturing and commercialisation of biotechnology products and processes. Corporate members have a wide range of activities: human and animal health care, diagnostics, bio-informatics, chemicals, crop protection, agriculture, food and environ- mental products and services. EuropaBio is ac- tively engaged in increasing the understanding of biotechnological applications and their bene- fits at European level and contribute to the cre- ation of a coherent and beneficial innovation climate for the bioindustry in Europe.


Q. Can you outline the nature of biotechnol- ogy and the industries in which it is used?


ND - Healthcare biotechnology refers to a me- dicinal or diagnostic product or a vaccine that consists of, or has been produced in, living or- ganisms and may be manufactured via recom- binant technology (recombinant DNA is a form


32 New European Economy


of DNA that does not exist naturally. It is cre- ated by combining DNA sequences that would not normally occur together). This technology has a tremendous impact on meeting the needs of patients and their families as it not only en- compasses medicines and diagnostics that are manufactured using a biotechnological process, but also gene and cell therapies and tissue engineered products. Today, the majority of innovative medicines, whether manufactured using biotechnology or via a chemical synthesis like a traditional small molecule medicine, as well as many diagnostic products, are made available by applying mod- ern biotechnology in their development and/or manufacturing processes.


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