Biotechnology in PERTE for “Vanguard Health”

This Monday, Spanish President Pedro Sánchez and Minister of Science and Innovation Diana Morant presented the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) for “Vanguard Health”.

Rocío Arroyo, CEO of Amadix and coordinator of the AseBio Personalised Medicine Workgroup, highlighted the role biotechnology companies play throughout the R&D cycle and the importance of taking their vision into account, both that of SMEs and micro SMEs, in building this Vanguard Health. 

There are nearly 800 companies in Spain working in biotechnology, 90% of which are SMEs and micro SMEs, developing innovations that take years to reach the market. According to Arroyo, precision medicine allows us to select the most effective preventive actions for each specific individual and the best therapy for each patient, helping make our healthcare system more sustainable. “Now we can advance even faster. We have to accelerate the roll out of precision medicine in our country. Now is our time to get ahead,” she added. She believes the European funds are a unique opportunity to compete in Europe and globally in the all-important field of health. “Without science, we’re more vulnerable to disease. That’s why it’s so important to have a countrywide project to build truly vanguard health, based on the knowledge we have all amassed, including SMEs working in health innovation and biotechnology,” she concluded. 

“We have to highlight that 68% of drugs being developed are biotechnology medicines and the biggest disruptions in health are coming from our sector. That’s why this Vanguard Health presented today must include the vision and contributions of the biotechnology sector, which is both knowledge and innovation intensive,” added Ana Polanco, chairwoman of AseBio, in line with the speech given by the CEO of the AseBio member company.