The European agenda focuses on biotechnology in 2024

The European Commission (EC) has adopted its Work Program for 2024, a document that reflects on the major achievements over the past four years and outlines the Commission's new proposals for the coming months.

The recently published Work Program for the upcoming year includes 15 new proposals, with biotechnology standing out among them. The document states, "A forthcoming initiative will help materialize all the benefits of biotechnologies and biomanufacturing, key elements for the competitiveness and modernization of the European Union's industry due to their high potential for growth and labor productivity."

With just a few months until the 2024 European elections, the EC reports that over 90% of the commitments made in the 2019 policy guidelines have been fulfilled. The new initiatives presented in the program are limited to those necessary to meet Commission commitments or address emerging challenges, such as biotechnology.

On October 3rd, the European Commission published the document "Commission Recommendation on critical technology for the EU's economic security for further risk assessment with Member States" This document acknowledges the current geopolitical tensions, the challenge of greater economic integration, and the acceleration of technological development in Europe. These factors pose a risk to the economic security of the community and emphasize the need for a comprehensive, strategic approach to ensure European economic security.

The Commission's ongoing process, as outlined in this document and the first part of the Economic Security Strategy presented in June, aims to review the risk of dependency in four strategic areas considered crucial for the EU's future: advanced microchips, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology.

While the document refers to 10 high-risk technologies, the four mentioned stand out based on their transformative nature, the potential risk of a civil-military fusion jeopardizing community peace and security, and the possibility of these technologies being used to violate human rights or restrict fundamental freedoms. The Commission has requested Member States to conduct a joint risk assessment on these "critical" technologies, with conclusions expected before the end of 2023.

Spain's role in the strategic autonomy of Europe

"The path to Europe's strategic autonomy involves harnessing the full scientific and technological potential offered by biotechnology. In the specific case of Spain, the recognition of the biotechnology industry as a key sector is a necessary step," states Ion Arocena, General Director of AseBio.

In this regard, he emphasizes the need to develop specific instruments to accelerate the market entry of innovations, for which "regulation in line with the nature and social and economic impact of biotechnology" is required. Additionally, Arocena underscores, "It is crucial to promote R&D through collaborative models and incentives that stimulate investment in the disruptive innovations generated by biotechnology."

With the aim of positioning Spain as a key player in meeting European demands, AseBio has launched the #VidaAlaBiotecnología campaign, an initiative orchestrated around six objectives that form the backbone of our Commitment:

• Recognition of biotechnology as a key sector for the strategic autonomy of Spain and Europe.
• Establishment of a fund for strategic deep technologies to strengthen and maximize the potential of the Spanish biotechnology industry.
• Acceleration of the market entry of biotechnological innovations through specific instruments and regulation tailored to their nature and impact.
• Promotion of talent for the future biotechnology industry.
• Promotion of biotechnological R&D through collaborative models and appropriate incentives.
• Strengthening the role of the public administration as a driving force for innovation.

#VidaAlaBiotecnología is a call to make a national effort that boosts and renews Spain's commitment to the biotechnology sector, following the path set by Europe, which already considers the biotechnology sector as crucial for the community's future.

The more signatures and proposals we gather, the greater our ability to convey the needs of the biotechnology sector and unleash its full potential in Spain. #VidaAlaBiotecnología is just the starting point of a journey with the goal of formalizing a national proposal that reaches the new government, allowing us to respond to Europe.