Securing Europe’s biotech future – How can biosecurity drive competitiveness?

Biotechnology involves the use of biological systems, organisms, or their components to develop products and solutions across industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. In Europe, it plays an important role in advancing medicine, sustainability, and economic growth. Europe accounts for approximately 12% of the global biotech market, and discussions continue on how to maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving sector. Biosecurity ensures biotech technologies are used safely by managing risks and maintaining safety standards.

Often viewed in the context of risk management and regulation, it can be overlooked that biosecurity can also play an important role in innovation and market leadership. Biosecurity approaches can affect trust in biotech products, their attractiveness to investors, the scalability of new technologies, and Europe’s position in shaping global standards. As synthetic biology and advanced biomanufacturing tools develop, discussions on biosecurity frameworks and their impact on investment, trade, and competitiveness are ongoing.

Finding a balance between biosecurity measures and innovation remains a consideration for policymakers and industry stakeholders. At the same time, Europe’s role in shaping global biosecurity standards is seen as a valuable exercise in its broader economic and security strategy.

Join this Euractiv Stakeholder Workshop to explore how biosecurity can be a strategic enabler of Europe’s biotech future. Questions to be discussed include:

• How can biosecurity strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in biotech?
• How can the EU develop a biosecurity approach that supports industrial growth and innovation?
• What role can Europe play in shaping global biosecurity standards while maintaining its leadership in biotech?