In mid-November, the European Commission tabled the long-awaited review of its Bioeconomy Strategy and Action Plan. European Biotechnology spoke with Waldemar Kütt, Head of Unit Bioeconomy Strategy, about the development the bioeconomy has made since its launch in 2012 by the European Commission and the instruments needed to attract investments, make it circular, and create a stable policy environment for companies and investors.

PharmaPack 2018:?The promises of digitalised medicine don’t stop at injection pens or autoinjectors. One of the early adopters in the field is Swiss Haselmeier AG (Pharmapack: hall 7.1, booth L19). European Biotechnology spoke with Paul E. Jansen, Member of the Board, from Haselmeier’s Boston office about how connected devices could define a new paradigm in therapy compliance and control of chronic diseases, and how they will shape the market.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a powerful blueprint for coordinating global efforts to end poverty through economic growth, reducing inequality, and providing better education, health, job opportunities, and environmental protection.

OPIS   Accelerated approval for orphan drugs and the possibility to have market authorisation
after a successful Phase II trial have made research in rare diseases more attractive to sponsors.
However, challenges and uncertainties remain numerous and designing scientifi cally robust,
patient-centered trials requires proper conceptualisation.

Unitary Patent:?Ingve Stjerna, plaintiff before the Federal Constitutional Court, argues that the UPC system does not deliver on its promise to make European patents cheaper and more affordable to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). European Biotechnology asked José Pfizer, Head of Intellectual Property at 4SC AG, to address the issue from the perspective of a German SME. 

Today, there are greater expectations among healthcare providers for engagement with life sciences companies to be digital. For life sciences companies, there is significant potential to leverage digital technologies to reach more HCPs.

The European Biotech market is extremely dynamic, acknowledged as being number two in the world of market rankings. This is a cause for celebration!

After having set up a R&D hub for the biomanufacturing of clinical trial supplies in Gdansk, Polpharma is expanding its European footprint with a €100m investment in Warsaw. Several take-overs previously made the company a one-stop shop for biomanufacturing. European Biotechnology spoke with Federico Pollano, Director Contract Manufacturing and Business Development at the CDMO and bio­similars maker, about Polpharma’s strategy and expansion of biologics production. 

On 23 June 2016, the UK voted to leave the EU and, thereby, decided for Brexit. As of today, it is still uncertain what the exact implications of this decision will be, including important questions regarding how the political and legal nature of the future relationship between the UK and the EU will be.