Biobiz workshops to help scientists launch new biotech companies

Brussels, Jan 2004

Biobiz, an EU funded initiative aimed at providing scientists with the necessary knowledge and tools for creating new companies in the life sciences and biotechnology sectors, has announced a fourth series of workshops.

The training courses will address issues such as access to capital, technology transfer, business plans, business related regulation and business incubators. Some 30 workshops will be held across Europe and in the US over the next three years.

'Growth and job creation in key sectors such as life sciences and biotechnology are mainly driven by new companies,' said EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin. 'One of the barriers for researchers who would like to create their own company is the lack of knowledge and training in management and finance. This is particularly acute when they seek to obtain venture capital. Biobiz helps fill this gap and meet the entrepreneurial challenge in the biotechnology sector.'

Some 350 prospective biotech entrepreneurs have already attended one of the Biobiz workshops since they began in 1998, and the initiative has resulted in the creation of 40 new biotech companies.

The initiative is supported by the European Commission as a specific support action under the 'life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health' thematic priority of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).

For further information, including a full list of dates and locations for 2004 until 2006, please consult the following web address:
http://www.cordis.lu/lifescihealth/home. html

CORDIS RTD-NEWS / © European Communities