The EU launch of the European Biotech Week came in the form of a debate at the European Parliament in Brussels entitled: ‘Biotech in 2020: Is Europe still relevant?’ which attracted an audience drawn from industry, policy, media and patient groups.
The event discussed Europe’s future in the global biotech sector, and whether Europe is equipping itself with the right policy framework to encourage innovation, and importantly, retain it. Key speakers included Jean-Paul Kress, President & CEO of Sanofi Pasteur MSD; US venture capitalist, G. Steven Burrill, founder and CEO of Burrill & Company; Jim Philp, Directo- rate for Science, Technology and Industry at the OECD and MEPs Kay Swinburne and Philippe de Backer.