Life Sciences and Biotechnology (Extract from Background for the Competitiveness Council of 22 Sep)

Brussels, 18 Sep 2003

The Council is expected to adopt a set of conclusions on the initiative "Life sciences and biotechnology - a strategy for Europe".

The draft conclusions call for moving from the conceptual and planning stage to the implementation of the strategy according to the "roadmap" contained in the Council conclusions of 26 November 2002.

For this purpose, closer cooperation between the Member States and the Commission is necessary in particular, for improving conditions for access to finance for biotechnology companies and to completing and implementing the general regulatory framework

These draft conclusions are the Council's reaction to the Commission first progress report on the implementation of the European biotechnology strategy.

Full report