The Hungarian Biotechnology Association (HBA) and the Hungarian Investment
and Trade Development Agency (ITDH) organized a joint conference for the
second time on 23 March 2006 in Budapest. Besides dealing with important
questions related to the industry sector, the one-day event also covered
the issues of grant opportunities, governmental subsidies, and the effects
of the Innovation Act.
Based on the positive experience of their past collaboration, ITDH and HBA
signed a Collaboration Agreement with the aim to improve the international
reputation and position of Hungary's biotechnology sector, to increase its
exports and facilitate the international utilization of Hungarian research
and development achievements and their commercialization on international
markets.
President of the Hungarian Biotechnology Association Ernő Duda Jr. opened
the conference - presently the only great forum in Hungary that offers a
chance for the representatives of companies active in biotechnology, the
scientific sphere, investment firms and decision-makers of the governmental
sector to meet. After underlining the importance of the conference itself,
Mr. Duda emphasized in his speech 'It is essential that governmental
decision-makers and scientists recognize the key role that lies in the
utilization of Hungarian scientific achievements'.
Deputy State Secretary for EU Development Funds of the Ministry of Economy
and Transport Géza Egyed said 'From an economic strategic aspect one
essential objective lies in the fact that the financial sources of the
second National Development Plan should serve the development of a
competitive knowledge economy in harmony with the Lisbon objectives.
According to the plans set by the Ministry of Economy and Transport, a
significant part of the EU money will finance activities related to R&D and
innovation, as well as the adaptation of these. Therefore, biotechnology,
pharmaceutical reasearch and production - among other areas - also assume
an important role'.
ITDH's Business Development Director Péter Spányik commented on the
Collaboration Agreement signed by ITDH and HBA 'For Hungary's
competitiveness the export of life sciences developments and the related
services is highly significant. Consequently, ITDH not only designs a
separate program for the sector, but also represents Hungarian
biotechnology with a united country stand at international fairs and
exhibitions'. Mr. Spányik added that their grant scheme also allows for
financing company presence at such events.
Upon signing the Collaboration Agreement Ernő Duda Jr. stated 'For the
national biotechnology industry ITDH's support is essential, since it helps
biotechnology assume a more and more dynamic presence on the international
map of the sector - this facilitates and accelerates the development of
business and professional relations and collaborations'.
President of the National Office for Research and Technology Dr Miklós Boda
explained 'In the area of biotechnological research both Hungary and Europe
have strong potentials, however, America seems to excel in terms of
utilizing achievements. We should concentrate on tailoring future
developments to meet not only national needs but also our presence on the
global market'.
Speakers on behalf of the Ministry of Economy and Transport included Deputy
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Ábel Garamhegyi, Deputy State
Secretary for EU Development Funds Géza Egyed and Head of Innovation
Department Dr. Tamás Balogh.
***
During the biotechnology conference Biostatin Pharmaceutical Research and
Development Ltd., Caprion Pharmaceuticals Inc. and ExperGen GmbH signed a
trilateral license agreement concerning the pharmaceutical development of a
novel therapeutic peptide. Based on Biostatin's pre-clinical and clinical
trials the peptide is a potential blockbuster and will be suitable for the
treatment of a variety of solid tumors.
Budapest, 23 March 2006
Further information:
ITDH, Katalin Kékesi
Tel: +36 1 472 8105
Further information is available at www.itd.hu and www.hungarianbiotech.org
where presentations are also posted.
