History of EUROBIOTECH

We can't wait for you to join us! 

From 20 to 22 June, the 8th Central European Congress of Life Sciences EUROBIOTECH - a highly regarded event dedicated to biotechnology, combining scientific panels and a trade fair exhibition - was held at the EXPO Krakow International Trade Fair and Congress Centre for the first time since the break caused by the pandemic.

During three days filled with inspiring lectures and exchange of scientific experiences, as well as discussions and attempts to answer the most burning questions in the field of biotechnology, EXPO Krakow was visited by nearly 300 participants from 12 countries. 

Participants attended nine plenary sessions and 14 parallel sessions on the main aspects of medical biotechnology and plant biotechnology. Gene therapy, vaccines, skin and muscle biotechnology, medical biotechnology in cancer therapy, the use of genome editing for sustainable, innovative plant production - these were just a few of the topics covered.

This year's scientific programme of the Congress focused on two areas of biotechnology. Colloquially known as "Red" biotechnology and "Green" biotechnology. The scientific sessions at the Congress were a unique opportunity to meet and exchange knowledge between eminent academics involved in research in selected areas of biotechnology, as well as representatives of biotechnology companies interested in this field. The latest scientific developments in this field could contribute to the production of innovative products to reduce environmental pollution and the greenhouse effect. By attending the event, students expanded their knowledge, making it easier for them to make decisions about their future careers. The research results presented at the Congress could be applied in practice - reducing production costs, improving product quality and increasing competitiveness. We are convinced that a higher level of knowledge and a higher awareness of side effects foster environmental protection, of which agriculture is a clear example. 

The 2017 edition of the Eurobiotech Congress was organized by the Biotechnology Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University, Polish Federation of Biotechnology and Targi w Krakowie Ltd.

Our main topics of interest were biopharmaceuticals, diagnosis, stem cells, biomaterials, food and feed, art in science, dual use of biotechnology and many more. The congress was opened by Prof. Ada Yonath - Nobel Prize Laureate 2009. The Scientific Programme included plenary lectures by speakers who are leading biotechnological developments, 22 symposia that spaned all colours of biotechnology with invited speakers who are world leaders in their fields.

Participants were impressed not only by the scientific program but also by the accompanying exhibition which gathered 37 companies and institutions. For the first time we organized special Technology Transfer Zone - integral part of the accompanying exhibition. Our aim was to present the scientific projects applied for commercialization and to demonstrate practical solutions and options for effective cooperation between science and business.

The  5th Eurobiotech International Conference  Eurobiotech took place in 2013. So far the Eurobiotech Conferences have focused attention on the latest achievements in the field of biotechnology. The subject of the 5th Conference was issued concerning “White “and “Green” biotechnology as well as legal matters connected with taking out a patent on biotechnological inventions. The organizers of the 5th Eurobiotech 2013 Conference were: Agricultural University in Krakow, the Jagiellonian University, the Biotechnology Committee of Polish Academy of Sciences, the Polish Federation of Biotechnology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Cluster Life Science Krakow and Targi w Krakowie Ltd. 

The part of “White” Biotechnology consisted of the following sessions: Nanotechnologies in Industrial Processes, Development of Renewable Energy in Biotechnology, Bioeconomy, Bioplastics and Biobased Polymers, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. The following sessions: Plant Molecular Breeding, Environmental Biotechnology, Plant Genetic Engineering, Animal Biotechnology in Biomedicine, Animal Biotechnology in Agriculture formed the part of “Green” Biotechnology. Legal issues relating to biotechnology were discussed during a separate session entitled : Legislation as Seen by Biotechnologists.

Organization process incorporated Jagiellonian University, University of Agriculture in Krakow, the Bitechnology Committee of Polish Academy of Sciences, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology and of course Targi w Krakowie Ltd. The congress took place under the Honorary Patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski. It proved significant recognition of the conference. The lectures included important and strategic themes for economic development as the renewable energy, biotechnology in medicine and pharmacy, the role of biology in agriculture and environmental protection, and many others. The congress begun with the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) Session. The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) is Europe's largest public-private initiative aiming to speed up the development of better and safer medicines for patients. IMI is a joint undertaking between the European Union and the pharmaceutical industry association EFPIA. There was also a press conference on GMO organized on the 14th of October 2011 which was attended by the most prominent scholars and researchers such as Ingo Potrykus (inventor of golden rice) and Klaus Amman.

The Central European Congress EUROBIOTECH 2010, was focused on a wide spectrum of topics related to biotechnology especially in production processes and environmental protection. Main biotechnological centres in Central Eastern Europe (Slovakia, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine and Lithuania) and in the world were invited to cooperate. Even one of the guests came from the Center of Innovation for Agrobusiness in Georgia, USA. He presented achievements of the biotechnology industry in the Georgia Region.

Invited key speakers presented the most updated lectures on: Environment Biotechnology and Bioenergy; Medicine and Food Technology; Pharmaceutical Biotechnology; Clean Technologies and Biomaterials; Intellectual Property Rights and other white biotechnology related topics.

The congress also gave business exchange opportunities. The accompanying exhibition gathered companies from different sectors of white biotechnology such as: biofuels, bioenergy, environment protection, biomaterials, food processing, biotechnology in production processes, patent firms, consulting, venture and fund investment companies.

After the success of the first edition and the growing importance of the biotechnology sectors, the organizers have decided to develop this project. The second edition of Eurobiotech took a place in 2008. It involved: the Polish Federation of Biotechnology, the Jagiellonian University - Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology and Collegium Medicum, the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Targi w Krakowie Ltd, the Jagiellonian Centre of Innovation and Krakow Life Science Cluster. Organizers also invited the Slovak Academy of Science and other biotech centers in Central Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Lithuania and Ukraine). The idea was to create a platform for meetings with scientist and partners from other countries.
​
Topics discussed during the congress and trade fair were focused on seven panels: Medical biotechnology, Pharmaceutical biotechnology, Nutrigenomics, Biomaterial, Animal Biotechnology, Intellectual Property Rights, Red Biotechnology and Research funding from private sources.

The first edition of the Central European Congress of Life Sciences Eurobiotech focused on agriculture (subheading: Biotechnology in Agriculture). It was organized by the University of Agriculture, the Jagiellonian University and Targi w Krakowie Ltd in 2007. To ensure a suitably high academic and professional level, organizers invited distinguished Polish and foreign scientists, who presented the latest biotechnological achievements in:

• agriculture,
• human and animal nutrition,
• and in environmental protection.

From the very beginning the EUROBIOTECH formula connects a conference part with the accompanying exhibition. The Congress provides an excellent opportunity for interaction between the scientific community and many segments of the biotechnology industry to provide a platform for exchanging ideas. The congress was attended by nearly 400 participants form Poland and from abroad and 30 companies took a part in accompanying exhibition.