Financing papers: The role of the European Commission in fostering innovation in the life sciences and biotechnology
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Waldemar Ku¨tt joined the Research Directorate General of the European Commission in 1997, where he is responsible for the coordination of innovation and SME policies of the Life Sciences Directorates, including intellectual property rights aspects. He is currently involved in the implementation of strategic actions set out in the recent Commission Communication on ‘Life Sciences and Biotechnology: A Strategy for Europe’. Etienne Magnien took over the Co-ordination Unit for the Life Science Directorates in 1999, and since 2002 has been responsible for Policy and Strategic Aspects in the Life Science Directorate: Biotechnology, Agriculture and Food Research. In May 2003, he became acting director of the directorate for Biotechnology, Agriculture and Food Research. Since 2000, he has also been secretary of the European Group on Life Sciences, assisting the Commissioner for Research in his policy design. Mark Cantley is currently Adviser in the Directorate for Biotechnology, Agriculture and Food, of the Directorate General for Research of the European Commission. From 1993 to 1998, he was detached to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, heading the Biotechnology Unit in the Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry.
Keywords: life sciences, biotechnology, European Commission, research, innovation Dr Waldemar Ku¨tt DG Research, Directorate E, European Commission, SDME 9/22, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 (2) 299 4145 Fax: +32 (2) 299 1860 E-mail: [email protected]
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The role of the European Commission in fostering innovation in the life sciences and biotechnology Waldemar Ku¨tt, Etienne Magnien and Mark Cantley Date received (in revised form): 10th July, 2003
Abstract Life sciences and biotechnology are fundamental to our ability to meet societal, environmental and economic challenges, be it the healthcare needs of a rich but ageing population in Europe, food security and improved healthcare for the ever-growing populations of the developing world, or the need to transform our economies and lifestyles towards more sustainable patterns. The new knowledge offers many opportunities, and competitive challenge obliges us always to seek to use our knowledge and techniques in ever more efficient and effective ways. To derive maximum benefit from recent and continuing progress in the life sciences and biotechnology, Europe has to invest more and better in research and technological development, and support the creation of a skilled and mobile workforce. Academia–industry links, in particular with small research-intensive biotechnology companies, have to be increased. The capital base of these companies has to be strengthened. Proper conditions for the commercialisation of biotechnology innovations are necessary, such as a science-based regulatory framework, and strong, harmonised and affordable intellectual property protection. Basic ethical and other values – including consumer choice – must be respected. The European Commission can play a major role in fostering innovations
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