Sometimes the European Union (EU) projects make my head spin and this is one of those times. From a June 6, 2013 news item on Nanowerk (Note: Links have been removed),
The European Technology Platform on Nanomedicine (ETPN) and the NANOMED2020 project published the White Paper on Contribution of Nanomedicine to Horizon 2020 (pdf), the next European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation till 2020. This strategic document provides a set of key recommendations for the European Commission and the EU Member States to create a favourable ecosystem for the successful deployment of Nanomedicine in Europe. It lays thereby the groundwork to manage the efficient translation of nanotechnology from a Key Enabling Technology (KET) into new and innovative medical products.
I found more information on the ETPN webpage,
Based on an in-depth analysis of the main bottlenecks in the translation of nanomedicine to the market, i.e. the inefficient selection process of translatable projects and the lack of technical infrastructures, such as pharmacology and toxicology facilities, the White Paper strives for the creation of an strong SME [small to medium enterprises] based supply chain for innovative therapeutics and diagnostics as a profitable industrial sector. This will support innovation and keep production and high tech jobs in Europe for the benefit of both European economy and European patients. The pivotal proposition of the White Paper is the establishment of a Nanomedicine Translation Hub designed as an umbrella for a set of complementary actions and initiatives such as:
- a dedicated Nanomedicine Translation Advisory Board (TAB) with experienced industrial experts to select, guide and push forward the best translatable concepts,
- a European Nano-Characterisation Laboratory (EU-NCL) for physical, chemical and biological characterisation of nanomaterials intended for medical use,
- GMP manufacturing pilot lines for clinical batches to assist both academia and SMEs to develop nanomedical materials for validation in clinical trials, before transfer to dedicated manufacturing organisations,
- a dedicated NanoMed SME instrument aiming at funding discovery projects and innovative SMEs in order to keep excellence in nanomedicine research and development.
I have looked at the White Paper, which is a slim 32 pp. and was particularly struck by this passage,
Based on this experience, the ETPN will cooperate with health care industry organisations to bring together EU, national and private resources to create an SME based supply chain for innovative ground breaking therapeutics and diagnostics. It will focus on nanotechnology based medicine and regenerative medicine, moving European SMEs to a position where their knowledge of development competes with the best in the US and Far East. This strengthening of the nanomedicine supply chain will support nanomedicine innovation and keep high tech jobs in Europe for the benefit both of the European economy and patients. (p. 6)
The ETPN folks are prepared to be generous in light of changing medical and health care research conditions,
Much has changed in the last decade in healthcare companies, with the result that pharmaceutical companies for example are moving to a global Open Innovation model, with a reduction in their own research capacities, especially in Europe. They have found their revenues under pressure and their pipeline of new products unable to provide the income to support the headcount without a loss of jobs. Most large pharmaceutical companies have now radically changed and embraced in-licencing and Open Innovation (OI) to try to reduce risks, to lower costs and to raise innovation standards. One consequence of this move is the cut in R&D staff in Europe’s research centres, and an investment in business development with the aim of technology scouting and in-licencing from academia or SMEs. This global strategy aims to recognise novel putative products or concepts, from SMEs and academics, wherever they originate in the world . Large companies are now focusing their business on late clinical validation, regulatory approval and worldwide distribution. The advantage for large pharmaceutical companies as well as for diagnostic and imaging companies is that it does not require early investment of resources, just the use of the knowledge of what makes a good potential marketable product. However, this OI concept will only succeed in Europe, if projects from the emerging healthcare supply chain of SMEs (and even academics) are developable.
If I read this rightly, they want to keep jobs in Europe and they’re perfectly happy to receive from other parts of the world. It seems to me that this could develop into a one-directional relationship and it provides an interesting contrast to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s current campaign for a Canada-EU trade pact. From the Financial Post’s June 13, 2013 article by Stephen Rennie about Harper’s appeal to the British Parliament,
The prime minister’s pitch included talk of Canada’s economic strength relative to much of the rest of the world. Harper argued, as he often has in the past, against protectionism and touted trade as the main driver of prosperity.
“Another value whose certainty has been repeatedly proven, though sadly sometimes more in the breach than the application, is that everyone gains in an open economy,” Harper said.
“Our businesses grow when new markets are opened.”
To sum this up, I find the ETPN project intriguing and applaud the transparency although I find the messages a little confusing. As for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, I hope he has someone on his staff paying attention to these things.