Berlin, 24/03/2022 – In the first week of March, we received the alarming news that 75% of the Amazon rainforest is at risk of irreversible destruction. At the same time, the authors of the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report (Part II) called for an immediate reduction in human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, politicians continue to prioritise subsidising farmers over funding biotech entrepreneurs. Biotechnological solutions can help save the planet, but we must act quickly.

Topics in the current issue:

Funding – Money follows ideas
Despite significant global investments in health innovations during the pandemic, only a few countries have made substantial progress in funding healthcare biotech innovations, an analysis reveals. A large share of the new funding is concentrated in the UK.

Genome editing – Europe at a crossroads
Europe’s united front against the use of genome editing in agriculture is weakening in light of the potential for greater sustainability and climate protection through biotechnology. Behind the scenes, discussions are already taking place in Germany as well.

Special: Bioprocessing
In the past decade, the number of approved monoclonal antibodies has quadrupled. Recombinant proteins and antibody-drug conjugates are just the beginning: ATMPs, DNA/RNA therapies, vectorised in vivo CRISPR medicines, and cell therapy/medicinal products are opening up billion-dollar markets – and CDMOs are adapting to meet the demand.

Interview: Matthias Schulze, Director of Marketing, OEM Components & Instruments, Coherent Inc.

Country focus: Denmark