26 September 2016 – EuropaBio is delighted to open a new edition of the European Biotech Week that is growing into a global success story this year. Between 26 September and October 2, a record 16 European countries will witness over a 100 biotech-focused activities and events on their territories with many others planned across 4 continents.

The fourth edition of the European Biotech Week builds on the success of 2015, with the involvement of 3 newcomers: Austria, Norway and Sweden. The annual commitment to increase dialogue and understanding of biotech includes a panoply of activities that range from open doors, symposiums, round table discussions and job fairs, to running races, competitions, roving labs, theatre plays and hands-on experiments. This year’s focus is on biotech researchers and their work, highlighted throughout the week’s events. “It is exciting and motivating to see more and more academics taking up the challenge to communicate about their science and taking the opportunity of enthusing non-scientists”, Nathalie Moll, EuropaBio Secretary General, comments.

Together with its member national associations and companies, EuropaBio replicated the success of National Biotech Week in Canada and pioneered the European Biotech Week concept back in 2013 with the ambition to raise awareness about biotechnology. From crops that withstand all sorts of climatic challenges to an economy that makes good use of waste and treatments that respond to unmet medical needs, biotechnology improves our lives in many ways and all those involved should be proud of what they do. “We in the biotech community must take the time and make the effort to engage at all levels of society to share examples and discuss ideas and views on the potential of this complex and exciting science”, Nathalie Moll adds.

“This year we are thrilled to see the Biotech Week concept go global. Global Biotech Week represents an important opportunity to show that biotechnology has no boundaries and delivers solutions to society’s grand challenges the world over”, Nathalie Moll concludes. Australia, Canada, Europe, South Africa, the Philippines and the United States have joined in the inaugural week-long celebration.

We invite you to see what is going on near you on www.biotechweek.org and www.globalbiotechweek.ca, and we wholeheartedly thank all the biotech supporters who have contributed to this year’s amazing programme. Next year’s edition will take place between September 25 and October 1, so mark your calendars!

ENDS

Media contact

Mélanie Moxhet, EuropaBio Communications and Office Coordinator

Email: m.moxhet@europabio.org / Telephone: +32 2 739 11 7 / Mobile: +32 499 15 16 49

About EuropaBio

EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, promotes an innovative and dynamic European biotechnology industry. EuropaBio and its members are committed to the socially responsible use of biotechnology to improve quality of life, to prevent, diagnose, treat and cure diseases, to improve the quality and quantity of food and feedstuffs and to move towards a biobased and zero-waste economy. EuropaBio represents 77 corporate and associate members and bio regions, and 16 national biotechnology associations in turn representing over 1800 biotech SMEs.

Read more about our work at www.europabio.org.