This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Oportunidades de la biotecnología para el sector químico

Expert highlights the extensive possibilities offered by the Catalan Bioregion during the Expoquimia

Opportunities of biotechnology for the chemical sector

Drafting QU01/12/2005

Under the heading of "Biotechnology, opportunity of innovation for the chemical sector", were analysed during the celebration of Expoquimia, 2005, the month of November, some of the keys to this area is currently experiencing a large expansion both from an economic point of view, as the research and applications which has in many industries, including pharmaceutical and chemistry.

The programme of conferences at Expoquimia opened with a Conference on the opportunities offered by biotechnology to the chemical sector. The event, opened by the President of Expoquimia, Rafael Foguet, was the presence of the rector of the Universitat de Barcelona, Màrius Rubiralta, which stressed the role that chemistry plays in the development of the Catalan Bioregion.

As explained Rubiralta, "Catalunya has enormous advantages to position itself as one of the leading regions in innovation." "However, should ensure greater coherence between the policies to be adopted, as well as promote the creation of companies that bet on innovation, with the collaboration of universities and the improvement of the technology transfer".

In this sense, the strength of the chemical sector - particularly in the segment pharmaceutical since more than 45 percent of the Spanish companies are located in Catalonia-; he stressed as the main values of the Catalan Bioregion the high level of development which has the Biomedicine, with prestigious hospitals; the large number of science parks; the business environment and internationally recognized universities.

The European biotechnology industry is experiencing a strong growth

Subsequently, took place a round table moderated by the director of strategic programs of the Catalan Fundació PEAR to the research i innovation, Xavier test, in which stood that chemistry, with the help of biotechnology, can bring new developmentsboth for creating new products to reduce costs and produce greater sustainability criteria.

Israel, a country of reference

In the event also involved Avri Avron, Member of Operon Consultants Ltd, which presented a report on the implementation of biotechnology in this country which, as noted, "has become one of the reference countries, after United States".

Avron attributed as a main factor of success of the introduction of biotechnology in Israel, the quality of the universities and the high degree of collaboration that have been reached with the industry. Thus, he emphasized the work of centres such as the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Israel Institute of Technology or the University of Tel Aviv, with the support of which they are creating science parks of great potential.

Catalonia is the second Spanish region with the highest number of biotechnology companies

However, Avron said as a main disadvantage of Israel to position itself as a world leader in biotechnology, the limited presence of pharmaceutical companies (unlike what happens in United States) and the lack of infrastructure

An emerging sector

The biotechnology sector is becoming increasingly more important in the chemical industry, a fact which is also reflected in the provision of Expoquimia, which in the last edition was attended by thirty of represented companies that are devoted exclusively to this sector.

The European biotechnology industry is experiencing strong growth. 2003 - Last year the available data for comparison - there were more or less the same number of biotechnology companies in the Europe of the fifteen that in United States, a 1,800. However, American companies generated revenue of $ 42 billion and provided employment to 170,000 workers, while in Europe the incomes of biotechnology companies amounted to 19 billion and gave work to 94,000 people, according to data from the study "Biotechnology in Europe - 2005 comparative study"prepared by the consulting firm Critical I and presented by Europe Bio.

In Spain the number of companies operating directly or indirectly in the biotechnology sector is 369 companies, according to data from the "2004 report" of the Spanish Association of Biocompanies, Asebio. A hundred of them are completely dedicated to biotechnology, employ 1,571 people, billed 296 million euros and allocated to r & d as average 73% of its turnover. Other 103 are listed as "partially dedicated to biotechnology", its total turnover - including no biotechnological activities - is 8.550 million euros, employ 19,000 people and their biotechnological r & d investment is EUR 20 million.

Catalonia, the second Spanish region with the highest number of biotechnology companies, announced at the end of 2004 the launch of the "Catalonia Bioregion" which aims to coordinate the activity of the Administration, basic and clinical researchers, entrepreneurs and companies working in the field of biomedicine and biotechnology.