Events by Genoma España
Presentation of the report "Relevance of Biotechnology in Spain 2011"
December 20, 2011
On December 20th last year, the report "Relevance of Biotechnology in Spain 2011" was presented in Madrid at the auditorium of the Centre for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI).
Published on a biennial basis since 2005, this report has become an essential reference in order to get an overview of the current situation and future development of the technology sector as well as its relative importance in terms of the Spanish economy and social welfare.
Some of the data released in this report show that over the last ten years, the number of biotech companies in Spain has grown by 359 per cent and they have experienced an increase in turnover of more than 600 per cent, reaching a total of 1429 million euros in 2010.
Throughout the event a discussion group met to examine the most important aspects of the study from both a practical and critical perspective. This discussion group, moderated by Rafael Camacho, General Director of Genoma España, was made up of the following members:
- Carmen Vela Olmo - President SEBIOT and CEO of Ingenasa
- Luzma García Piqueres - Head of CNIC Project and Technology Transfer Unit
- Miguel Angel Sierra Bonachera - CEO and co-founder of AB-Biotics
- Regina Revilla Pedreira - President of ASEBIO and Director of External Affairs at MSD
- José Jerónimo Navas Palacios - Director of the Carlos III Health Institute.
"The positive results on growth and revenues yielded by the Spanish biotechnology sector should not divert our attention from the fact that it is necessary to remain commited to this sector, and strongly encourage both public and private investment," said Rafael Camacho, General Director of Genoma España. "The economic crisis should not hinder growth in one of the scientific research sectors that more directly benefits citizens’ quality of life, and one of the most promising areas of economic development for the coming years. All the agents involved in this sector, from foundations and government agencies to investment dealers and private entrepreneurs need to combine efforts in order to keep on increasing sales revenue as well as improving science results and academic performance in future editions of our report”.
The report "Relevance of Biotechnology in Spain 2011" has been coordinated by Fernando Ruiz and Olga Garces from Genoma España Foundation and compiled by professionals from public and private agencies such as the Institute of Documentary Studies on Science and Technology (IEDCYT -CSIC), the Economic Forecasting Center (CEPREDE), Infocenter, Webcapitalriesgo (site devoted to optimize both data collection and distribution of contents about the VC/PE activity) and Mensor Consultancy and Strategy.
Forum for the Presentation of Biotechnology Projects and Companies
December 14, 2011
On December 14th a Forum to present the 2011 Biotech Projects and Business plans developed during the Biocampus course was held at IE Business School.
This forum aims to support entrepreneurs in the highly innovative Biotechnology sector so that they could set up and develop business initiatives, by introducing them to investors able to provide them with professional and financial assistance.
The projects here presented were chosen as the best over all the participants in the Biocampus training program, which was carried out with the collaboration of entities such as ANCES (National Association of Spanish CEEI), Government of La Rioja, Agencia IDEA (the Agency for Innovation and Development of Andalucia), BioCat (the organization that dynamizes and promotes the Catalonian biocluster), Barcelona Activa (the local development agency of the City Council of Barcelona) and La Caixa .
Winners
A total of 15 projects were presented during the event. Five prizes were awarded to the following initiatives:
- Aglaris Cell: Development and distribution of automated, contaminant- free cell culture bioreactors for cell therapy in hospitals.
- AC-Gen "Reading Life": genetic analysis service which provides useful and relevant information both for the diagnosis and treatment of genetic and hereditary diseases.
- Regenear: Development and marketing of biokits to regenerate three-dimensional cartilage structures from the patient's own cells.
- Spectrapply: Research and development initiative aimed at the implementation and marketing of integrated analytical solutions based on infrared (IR) spectroscopy which can be applied to a physical-chemical analysis of the environment.
- Nanomyp: Services for characterization and supply of nanoparticles and functional materials, R & D outsourcing and development of new products for the industrial sectors of pharmacy, biomedicine and materials.
II Biomeeting with the Media
December 1, 2011
On December 1st, 2011, Genoma España and Asebio organized the second edition of Biomeeting with the Media, a training, opinion and discussion forum on biotechnology which gathered together experts and journalists specialized in the so-called business of the 21st century. The event was opened by Isabel García, Secretary General of ASEBIO and Rafael Camacho, General Director of Genoma España.
At the event, Javier Velasco, CEO of Neuron Bio, gave a talk on "Present and Future of 2nd generation biofuels." Maria Blasco, Director of the National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) emphasized the "Influence of biotechnology in cancer therapies" through her presentation. Marian Martínez de Pancorbo, professor at the University of the Basque Country UPV / EHU and scientific advisor to its DNA Bank, described "Practical applications of DNA analysis," while Sonsoles Rueda, Technical Director of GENOMICA, highlighted the importance of "Biotechnology in functional diagnostics: Using DNA."
The journalists attending the event underwent a DNA test in order to carry out a population study of their ancestry conducted by the company Cambrix, SL.
The meeting ended with a visit to Merck's biotech production facility in Tres Cantos.
Through these events, Genome Spain and Asebio attempt to bring biotechnology closer to the media, as they are responsible for giving an accurate picture of how this sector contributes to many aspects of our lives.
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