European Insights

Europe, in terms of biopharma innovation, is divided into three parts, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In a study that measured biopharma patents per capita, drugs under development and country size, venture capital investment in biotech per capita, and biotech companies per million, as well as scientific performanc and higher education, the OECD found that Belgium stood alone, followed by the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Finland in a second grouping, and Spain, Norway, and Japan (interesting that OECD includes Japan in Europe).

See article in the online publication In-Pharma Technologist.

The Scottish Crop Research Institute, Birmingham University, and Scotland's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council are beginning a $3.1 million program to research the barley genome, seeking to identify genes that might influence economically important traits such as yield, disease and pest resistance, and capacity for alchohol extraction during the production of whiskey. Some 50 percent of the arable land in Scotland is used to grow barley for beer and whiskey production. Funding is split between the government and industry, including seed companies, brewers, and the Scotch Wisky Research Institute.

See article in the online publication Innovations Report.

The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and the European Life Sciences Forum are calling for increased funding for research in the European Union's Framework 7 budget. The two groups are circulating a petition that so far has obtained the signatures of 13,000 scientists against a budget proposal that calls for a cut of approximately 40 percent in funding for research and innovation.

Editor's note: Our thoughts and prayers go to the people of London today.