EuroBiO 2008 closes today on a strongly optimistic note: if the current economy has stalled, the sector that will lead the way in the future is full of confidence"¦
As a showcase event in the European Presidency of the EU, EuroBiO has succeeded in attracting the key stakeholders in the European life sciences community to debate the issues and challenges facing this driver of innovation. Companies, professional organizations and other institutions from all branches of biotech (Red for healthcare, white for industrial and green for agriculture) had the opportunity to present their activities within the Exhibitions´ "four pillars". In particular, the Conference pillar generated constructive discussions, resulting in a series of clear messages and recommendations which drive the life sciences agenda in a White Paper to be presented during the Swedish presidency of the European Union in 2009. This presidency will place innovation in its rightful place as a key economic driver. The EuroBiO Partnering Business Convention pillar stimulated productive interactions between hundreds of companies -from multinationals to start–ups- and the investment community and other stakeholders. The Career Fair pillar -the fourth pillar following the American BIO model- enabled recruiters to meet the bright new generation of postdocs on whom the future of the industry rests.
"Despite the unprecedented financial crisis, we are extremely pleased by the success of this EuroBiO, which is being held during the French EU Presidency. I even had the unfortunate duty of informing President Lula´s advisor on biofuels about the suspension of the Sao Paulo stock exchange while in the middle of his presentation during our satellite meeting at the OECD," confided Eric Poincelet, the Commissioner General of the congress. "Nevertheless, this success demonstrates above all that the economy of the 21st century is going to take a completely different form to the current one. It also confirms the central and growing role of life sciences in the sustainable development of our society and its economy. The leaders of tomorrow were able to meet and exchange ideas. I was also delighted to see that Europe finally realized that it is showing the world the way ahead in establishing eco–industries. The expression "Old Europe" should now definitely be banned from our vocabulary"¦ The new generation of scientists and entrepreneurs who have participated in all the debates have understood this -after all it is they who will lead this BioRevolution. We must now do everything we can to help them in this task, there can be no doubt it is in all our interests"¦".
"In effect the European BIO, EuroBiO has further enhanced its reputation," added Pierre Tambourin, Chairman of Genopole and President of EuroBiO 2008. "We are now at the same point that BIO was ten years ago in the US, and have become an unmissable event."
EuroBiO 2008 in some figures:
- 120 renowned speakers participated in round–tables, BioDialogues, House of Commons Debates, workshops and plenary sessions,
- Active participation of nearly 100 national and international journalists, including on the EuroBiO TV Studio,
- Covering over 5,000 square meters, the exhibition hall welcomed over 300 companies, professional organizations, institutions , research centers, and most of the European bioclusters which, alongside the French clusters, represent every biotechnology field, and attracted 4 000 visitors,
- The Business Convention hosted over 400 professionals who participated in almost 3 000 one–to–one meetings,.
- The Career Fair attracted almost 600 postdocs and PhDs who met with approximately 50 recruiters.
To find the best moments of the Congress, go to www.EuroBiO2008.com .
About EuroBiO
Founded in 1997 on the initiative of the French Ministry of Research, the then called European Biotech Crossroads has rapidly succeeded in bringing together all the biotechnology actors and stakeholders: life science companies, start–up projects, students, researchers, private & public–sector research organizations, industry bodies, investors, consulting firms, multinationals from the biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, agrifood & environmental sectors, local authorities, clusters, bioparks, bioincubators, public authorities and regulatory bodies.
In 2006, the European Biotech Crossroads took place in Paris for its 10th anniversary. Under the guidance of Eric Poincelet, former Director General of The World Life Sciences Forum BioVision and founder of BioSquare, the Event was totally transformed on this occasion and remodelled according to the US BIO structure: Four Pillars, Three Sectors, and Three Generations. To reflect this transformation into what is set to become "The European BIO", the name EuroBiO was adopted. Over 4,000 experts already joined in the newly "revamped" EuroBiO in 2006. And over 5,000 are expected for this EU Presidency Edition 2008.
EuroBiO is now a truly international event, with a prime focus on European issues. The Event is dedicated to Life Sciences in general – and in particular, to biotech´s three major fields of application – Health, Environment and Agro–industry.
The overall setting of EuroBiO 2008 was awarded to Paris and Region Ile–de–France; the concrete organization of the event is ensured by its Regional Economic Development Agency for Paris Ile–de–France (ARD) and its Partner, Package Organization.
For more detailed information, visit the EuroBiO 2008 web site at: www.eurobio2008.com
With the support of:
UE2008.fr
Conseil Général de Seine–Saint–Denis
Mairie de Paris
Conseil Général de l´Essonne
