Thomas Reiss

Drug discovery of the future: the implications of the human genome project

The elucidation of the 3.2-gigabase human genome will have various impacts on drug discovery. The number of drug targets will increase by at least one order of magnitude and target validation will become a high-throughput process. To benefit from these opportunities, a theory-based integration of the vast amount of new biological data into models of biological systems is called for. The skills and knowledge required for genome-based drug discovery of the future go beyond the traditional competencies of the pharmaceutical industry. Cooperation with biotechnology firms and research institutions during drug discovery and development will become even more important.

European exploitation of biotechnology—do government policies help?

A recent survey of public spending on biotechnology in Europe suggests that money alone cannot stimulate growth of the sector.

The development of synthetic biology: a patent analysis

AbstractIn the past decades, synthetic biology has gained interest regarding research and development efforts within the biotechnology domain. However, it is unclear to what extent synthetic biology has matured already into being commercially exploitable. By means of a patent analysis, this study shows that there is an increasing trend regarding synthetic biology related patent applications. The majority of retrieved patents relates to innovations facilitating the realisation of synthetic biology through improved understanding of biological systems. In addition, there is increased activity concerning the development of synthetic biology based applications. When looking at potential application areas, the majority of synthetic biology patents seems most relevant for the medical, energy and industrial sector. Furthermore, the analysis shows that most activity has been carried out by the USA, with Japan and a number of European countries considerably trailing behind. In addition, both universities and companies are major patent applicant actor types. The results presented here form a starting point for follow-up studies concerning the identification of drivers explaining the observed patent application trends in synthetic biology.

Making the most of synthetic biology: Strategies for synthetic biology development in Europe

Synthetic biology is an emerging field with large potential for research and development, and future benefits for economy and society. The European Union (EU) has started measures to structure and develop the field, such as a high‐level expert group. However, research activities are still scattered across Europe and scientific disciplines, and are concentrated in a relatively small number of working groups. Further integration is also hampered because there is no common understanding of synthetic biology, no clear description of its status quo and no comprehensive assessment of its potential. The situation is similar in the USA, although the field seems to be more advanced there in terms of activity and networking within the scientific community. Accordingly, to strengthen European competitiveness in synthetic biology, it is necessary to integrate the various activities and to draft a comprehensive strategy for the field. > Further integration is hampered because there is no common understanding of synthetic biology, no clear description of its status quo and no comprehensive assessment of its potential We therefore developed a ‘roadmap’ for synthetic biology in Europe, defining the essential steps to be taken in regard to regulation, funding, public‐sector integration and scientific research. Our study, which was supported as part of the New and Emerging Science and Technology (NEST) programme (European Commission, Brussels, Belgium), involved an expert committee and the broader scientific community in an attempt to develop a common understanding of synthetic biology. This process was intended to generate awareness of the field among researchers, funding agencies and research organizations such as the National Academies of Science (Washington, DC, USA), the Max‐Planck‐Society (Munich, Germany) and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS; Paris, France). > Without public support and understanding of research into synthetic biology, both funding and regulation are unlikely to support significant scientific advances The mapping …

Technometric evaluation and technology policy: the case of biodiagnostic kits in Israel☆

Abstract ‘Technometrics’ is a multidimensional index of technological excellence. Technometric profiles permit objective comparisons of product and process quality between companies, industries and nations. They are applicable to services as well as goods, to low-tech as well as high-tech products, and provide basic quantitative indicators sometimes helpful in constructing technology policy. The method of constructing technometric profiles is outlined and a technometric case study of Israels fledgling biodiagnostic industry is presented, with emphasis on industrial policy.

The performance of European countries in biotechnology: how does Europe compare to the USA?

This paper presents an analysis of the performance of the European Union (EU) member states and the USA in biotechnology based on various science, technology and commercialisation indicators. The performance analysis shows that European countries can be grouped into three clusters: Cluster 1, with the best-performing countries, includes Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Cluster 2 performs at a level that is roughly similar to the European median and includes Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Norway, Germany, France and the UK. Cluster 3 – Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg – performs well below the European median. The best-performing European countries achieve higher performance scores than the USA. Within the whole spectrum of the considered European countries, the USA would be positioned in the first half. The comparison of the scientific and commercialisation performance of the individual countries reveals clear evidence for a positive correlation between scientific and commercial performance.

The effectiveness of biotechnology policies in Europe

The present study investigates what policy mixes are the most effective in fostering biotechnology innovations. An input-output approach has been used with a mix of biotechnology policy instruments at the input side and biotechnology performance in science and commercialisation at the output side. Policy mixes that include both generic and biotech-specific policy instruments which support both the science base and commercialisation activities correlate with higher performance levels. Countries that ascribe limited importance to the creation of generic and biotech-specific instruments for the stimulation of biotechnology also perform more weakly. Only generic research stimulating instruments in place is less effective; biotech-specific instruments seem to be more beneficial. All highly performing countries in commercialisation had both generic and biotech-specific instruments in place. The overall conclusion is that a well-balanced mix of generic and biotech-specific measures seems to be superior.

The effects of national policy on biotechnology development: the need for a broad policy approach

An assessment is made of the effectiveness of national policies for the biotechnology knowledge base and its commercialisation in 14 European Union member states. The assessment first reviews the various theoretical approaches that lie behind policies to promote the commercialisation of knowledge. It then discusses the EPOHITE study, including its aims, methodology and results. In the conclusions, the paper will use the results of the study to discuss any relationship between the policy approach of individual member states and their innovation performance. It will also discuss the application of the lessons learned from this study to the countries studied as well as to new member states of the EC and newly industrialising countries. Some of the difficulties to be overcome will also be tackled.

Innovation Process and Techno-scientific Dynamics

The innovation process in the pharmaceutical industry is different from other innovation processes, mainly due to the regulative influence of health authorities. In order to understand this process we should first describe the different phases, the examination objects and aims, and the certification process at the health authorities.

Benchmarking national biotechnology policy across Europe: a systems approach using quantitative and qualitative indicators

Expectations that biotechnology will become a major contributor to economic growth and impact on quality of life explain its high priority on the political agenda of EU Member States. Theoretical advances in understanding innovation processes and instruments for innovation policy have created an increasing demand for empirical tools to develop policy from a systems perspective. This paper aims to provide policy-makers with tools to assist in biotechnology policy-making. Key aspects considered are: the systemic nature of the innovation process in biotechnology; the different policy areas involved in its promotion; and the time lag between policy action and potential policy outcomes. The benchmarking approach combines quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to assess policy activity in relevant policy areas and the achievement of policy goals. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.