This special session features John Bruton, EU ambassador in the USA, accompanied by four directors of the European Commission: Georgette Lalis (DG Enterprise, including EMEA), Andrzej Rys (DG Health and Consumer Protection), Octavi Quintana Trias (DG Research, Health Research) and Christian Patermann (DG Research, Biotechnology, Food and Research). Also attending will be European Patent Office Director for Biotechnology Sjoerd Hoekstra. These key European decision-makers will highlight current developments in the EU's regulatory and innovation policy and funding environment for biotechnology and life sciences.



Objectives:

Demonstrate how the EU creates opportunities for the biotechnology industry by modernizing its regulation of biopharmaceuticals to create legal certainty for newly emerging products and discuss current developments in biotech patenting in the EU.

Present the EU's activities in public health and global health.

Highlight sources of R&D funding for biotechnology research for health, agriculture and sustainable development in Europe, along with showing the EU's ongoing and future activities.