Strategy for the development of biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the context of public health challenges in the EU

3.4.2024

Question for written answer  E-000993/2024
to the Commission
Rule 138
Joanna Kopcińska (ECR)

In a communication published on 20 March 2024 entitled ‘Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU’, the Commission highlights biotechnology as one of the fastest growing innovative industries in the European Union. The communication follows on from the earlier Commission Recommendation (EU) 2023/2113 on critical technology areas, and makes reference to the proposal for a Parliament and Council regulation establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).

Taking into account that, on the one hand, the EU already has a wide range of financial instruments at its disposal to support biotechnology and biomanufacturing – Horizon Europe (along with the CBE JU and IHI JU initiatives), the EU4Health Programme, the Innovation Fund – and, on the other hand, given the context of the proposed priorities for the development of biotechnology and biomanufacturing and their overarching role, as confirmed by communications and previous recommendations:

Does the Commission intend to present a roadmap of new initiatives that would specifically identify those branches of biotechnology and biomanufacturing that could be used strategically to make practical improvements in the quality of public health through targeted prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, drug production, development of regenerative and personalised medicine, and countering antimicrobial resistance?

Submitted:3.4.2024