EuropaBio

{{Short description|European biotech industry group}}

{{Third-party|date=September 2023}}

{{Notability|date=December 2024}}

{{Infobox company

| name = EuropaBio

| type = Advocacy group

| foundation = {{start date|1996}}

| key_people = {{ubl|Dr. Claire Skentelbery, Director General|}}

| location = Brussels, Belgium

| industry = Biotechnology

| homepage = {{url|www.europabio.org}}

}}

EuropaBio ("The European Association for Bioindustries") is Europe's largest and most influential biotech industry group, whose members include leading large-size healthcare and industrial biotechnology companies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.europabio.org/members/|title = Members – Europabio| date=16 January 2021 }} EuropaBio is located in Brussels, Belgium. The organisation was initiated in 1996 to represent the interests of the biotechnology industry at the European level, and therefore influence legislation that serves the interests of biotechnology companies in Europe.{{Cite web |title=About us – Europabio |date=26 August 2020 |url=https://www.europabio.org/about-us/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |language=en-US}}

Activity and goals

EuropaBio is engaged in dialogue with the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of Ministers to influence legislation on biotechnology.

EuropaBio represents two sectors of the biotech industry.

  • White or industrial biotechnology is the application of biotechnology for industrial purposes, including manufacturing, alternative energy (or "bioenergy") biofuels, and biomaterials.
  • Red or healthcare biotechnology is the application of biotechnology for the production of medicines and therapies.

EuropaBio's stated goals are:

  • promoting an innovative, coherent, and dynamic biotechnology-based industry in Europe;
  • advocating free and open markets and the removal of barriers to competitiveness with other areas of the world;
  • committing to an open, transparent, and informed dialogue with all stakeholders about the ethical, social, and economic aspects of biotechnology and its benefits;
  • championing the socially responsible use of biotechnology to ensure that its potential is fully used to the benefit of humans and their environment.{{Cite web|title=About us – Europabio|date=26 August 2020 |url=https://www.europabio.org/about-us/|access-date=2021-08-18|language=en-US}}

EuropaBio's primary focus is the European Union but because of the global character of the biotech business, it also represents its members in transatlantic and worldwide forums.

Organisation

EuropaBio has a board of management made up of representatives from among its industry members. Since 2023, Dr. Sarah Reisinger representing dsm-firmenich is chair of the board.

The board is assisted by sectoral councils representing the main segments of EuropaBio – healthcare (red biotech), and industrial (white biotech).

Additionally, National Associations are represented through the National Associations Council.

Experts from member companies and national associations participate in EuropaBio's working groups which cover a very wide range of issues and areas of concern of biotech enterprises.

Since November 2020 EuropaBio Director General is Dr. Claire Skentelbery.{{Cite web|title=EuropaBio announces Dr. Claire Skentelbery as new Director General of the Association|date=2 November 2020 |url=https://www.europabio.org/europabio-announces-dr-claire-skentelbery-as-new-director-general-of-the-association/|access-date=2021-08-18|language=en-US}}

Members

In 2021, the association represents 79 corporate and associate members and BioRegions, and 17 national biotechnology associations in turn representing over 1800 biotech SMEs.{{Cite web|title=Members – Europabio|date=16 January 2021 |url=https://www.europabio.org/members/|access-date=2021-08-18|language=en-US}}

See also

Citations

{{Reflist}}

References

  • [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/interactive/2011/oct/20/transforming-europe-gm-food?INTCMP=SRCH Transforming Europe’s position on GM food - ambassadors programme executive summary] The Guardian, Thursday 20 October 2011, Guardian News and Media Limited.
  • [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/oct/20/europabio-gm-ambassadors-europe?INTCMP=SRCH Biotech group bids to recruit high-profile GM 'ambassadors'] John Vidal and Hanna Gersmann, The Guardian, Thursday 20 October 2011, Guardian News and Media Limited.
  • [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/interactive/2011/oct/20/gm-food?INTCMP=SRCH Draft letter from EuropaBio to potential GM ambassadors] The Guardian, Thursday 20 October 2011, Guardian News and Media Limited.