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EF: What are the current priorities on the agenda of ASEBIO? How are you working to collectively promote a more competitive economy, and how do patients benefit from this?
AP: We are at a turning point for the Spanish biotechnology industry. The pandemic showcased the strategic significance of the biotech sector and spurred unprecedented growth over the past two years, leading to a private investment of 146 million euros in 2022
Europe has already identified biotechnology as a strategic sector through initiatives such as the Resilient EU230 Strategy and the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). As AseBio, we have the mission for it to be the case for Spain as well and for this to be reflected in the policies and instruments put in place so that patients and society at large can benefit from biotechnological innovations. AseBio has participated in the Reconstruction Commission of the Congress of Deputies after the pandemic, and we have been a recognized player in the outline of strategies and regulations such as the reform of the Science Law, Spain 2050 or the Spain Entrepreneurial Nation Strategy."
Now we are working to secure a national commitment to the sector based on six proposals aimed at fostering the biotechnology ecosystem in Spain throughout the entire value chain: recognizing biotechnology as a key sector for our strategic autonomy, establishing a fund for deep technologies, accelerating the market access of biotechnological innovations, nurturing talent for the biotechnology industry of the future, promoting biotechnological R&D, and strengthening the Public Administration as a driving force for innovation. It's important to note that nearly 70% of the drugs currently in development worldwide are biotechnological, and we are witnessing a sector that is expanding in its economic significance. In Spain, it has already reached 1% of the GDP.
EF: What were the key takeaways from the recent BioSpain event in Barcelona? How important are such events for bringing different stakeholders together and advancing the industry?
AP: Biospain 2023 has reflected the great moment our sector is experiencing. For three days, Barcelona has served as the international showcase for Spanish biotechnology, welcoming more than two thousand people from nearly a thousand entities worldwide.
We are very proud of the results and, above all, to see how Biospain has established itself as one of the major biotechnology gatherings in Europe. The biotechnology sector has collaboration in its DNA. Academia, large companies, investors, small and medium-sized enterprises, and startups collaborate to turn science into disruptive solutions that enhance the lives of patients and the sustainability of the planet. Biospain 2023 has facilitated more than 5,000 one-to-one meetings among all these stakeholders, which we are confident will evolve into collaborations that drive and strengthen the biotechnology industry.
Furthermore, Biospain has established itself as a meeting point and a platform for dialogue between the sector and the public administration, highlighting our collaboration with national and regional governments, especially this year with the Government of Catalonia. We have also had the participation of international associations such as EuropaBio and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.
EF: How can Spain further position itself as a hub for biotech and innovation? The EU outlined biotechnology as a key industry for its future strategy; how does Spain fit into this vision?
AP: The European Commission has just identified four areas considered essential for the future of Europe: advanced microchips, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology, and to adopt measures aimed at reducing current dependency in these areas. Biotechnology is driving significant disruptions that have a major impact on health, food, and the sustainability of the planet. The most recent example can be found in the development of Covid-19 vaccines based on mRNA technology.
Spain has the scientific and technological potential to become a major European biotechnology hub. We rank ninth globally in scientific knowledge production and fifth in highly promising areas like advanced therapies. Our country has a vibrant and mature ecosystem of research centers, internationally renowned hospitals, and nearly a thousand exclusively biotechnology-focused companies. Now, our challenge is to foster their growth and consolidation, which is why we need funding mechanisms and public policies to support them. This can only be achieved through a clear national commitment to the biotechnology industry. At AseBio, we are working to place our sector at the center of the vision of the country we aim to become.
EF: How do you assess the role of the biotechnology sector in the paradigm shift towards precision medicine? How do you envision a roadmap from the current system to achieving a health system in which medication is always tailored to patients?
AP: There is no doubt that the role of biotechnology in advancing personalized medicine is crucial. We are witnessing how, thanks to biotechnology, the adaptation of medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient is already a reality in many cases. In fact, the response rate thanks to personalized medicine in cancer treatments reaches 30.6%, compared to 4.9% with traditional treatments. Omics sciences, particularly genomics, play a fundamental role in this progress. AseBio has always been aware of its potential, which is why it has a personalized medicine working group where research centers, universities, small businesses, and major pharmaceutical companies work together to boost it in Spain.
The impact of biotechnology on precision medicine represents a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery, incorporating more effective and safer diagnostic and treatment strategies while also providing solutions to ensure the sustainability of healthcare systems.
For us, any action plan aiming to address this paradigm shift must place biotechnology companies at the forefront. Biotechnology companies investigate unmet needs, which is why it is crucial to align their capabilities with the healthcare system's requirements by providing the right incentives.
EF: Which specific areas of biotechnology are you currently most excited about? What potential impact could they have on healthcare?
AP: Biotechnology has emerged as a fundamental pillar in safeguarding global health due to its cross-cutting ability to address global challenges. There are significant areas in which biotechnology is revolutionizing the way we improve and protect patients' lives, such as advanced therapies, precision medicine, or messenger RNA.
However, the transformative capacity of biotechnology extends beyond healthcare. Biotechnology will play a crucial role in ensuring safe and sustainable food, as well as driving the green transition of our economy through bioplastics and biofuels. It's worth noting that biologically-based products can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 65%.
I am convinced of the tremendous transformative power of this biorevolution
EF: Do you have a final message for our readers?
AP: I would like to encourage readers to closely follow and support the biotechnology sector. The European Commission defines our sector as one in which radical innovations are highly possible and have the potential to greatly transform our society. t will take the lead in driving advancements in human health and securing the sustainability of our planet. However, for this vision to become a reality, we all need to be convinced of its importance, from policymakers and funding agencies to journalists, researchers, and society as a whole. That's why I urge you to join us in following AseBio's campaign #VidaALaBiotecnología.
