Biotechnology and Health Sciences is a field is an issue of crucial importance in our times. Along with AI and the Internet, they create the framework of the 21st century. It is no coincidence that the biotechnology sector has an impressive growth trajectory of 12.8% per year. It is predicted that this market will reach $713.3 billion by 2027.
Gene correction, protein and cell therapies, increase in chronic diseases, trends towards personalised medicine, are only some of the challenges humanity is facing, and health biotechnology is called upon to address these matters.
The Role of the Greeks of the Diaspora
Many highly influential Greeks of the diaspora possess key global positions in Research, Health Sciences and Biotechnology. Similarly, Greece’s work force is rich in talent and knowledge, with a high level of education. These, combined with a number of advantages that the country has in terms of quality of life, climate, etc., allow Greece to claim a leading role at an international level in the field of Biotechnology and Health Sciences in general.
Komvos-Node, in collaboration with the ARISTEiA Institute of USA, has taken the initiative to create a Biotechnology and Health and Life Sciences Industry, Research and Education Park.
The Conferences
In this context, a conference took place in 2023, concerning Health-Biotechnology-Economy synergy structures, which aimed to explore the dynamics of Greece in this field and the potential of Greece to claim an important role as a country at international level.
The conclusions were positive, as it was found that Greece possesses both the talent and a number of other assets that allow it to claim this role. This led Komvos-Node and the ARISTEiA Institute to organise – in collaboration with Bioinnovation and the international BIO³ conference – the 2nd conference on Health-Biotechnology-Economy synergy structures. The purpose of this 2nd conference is to explore the initiatives that need to be taken from now on, in order to achieve the objective. Besides, the subtitle of the 2nd Conference “Next Steps” is no coincidence.
Feasibility Study
The collaboration between Komvos-Node and the ARISTEIA Institute also leads to the conduction of a feasibility study on the requirements and conditions for the successful implementation of a Health and Life Sciences Industry, Research and Education Park and the impact that the creation of such a structure would have in Greece.
The objectives of the study are, among others:
- To identify the health and life sciences areas in which Greece has a competitive advantage.
- To determine the optimal course of implementation and development.
- To study the best practices of similar initiatives in other countries.
- Explore areas in Greece that offer opportunities for the development of such a park, including biotechnology factories, healthcare facilities, research centres and biotechnology technical training organisations.
- Assess the impact of the initiative on the economy both at a local and a national level.
- To strengthen Greece’s capacity in education, research and innovation in the medical and biomedical industry
- To increase employment in this sector
- To provide opportunities for young people in Greece; and
- Create new investment opportunities.
See here the conclusions of the 1st Conference.
For the introductory presentation of the 2nd Coference (2024), see here!
The first panel entitled Designing Profitable Biotechnology Structures was moderated by the Director of Human Genetics, FORTH. Read more here.
The second panel on Attracting Investment in the Biotechnology Sector was moderated by Dr. Sotirios Stergiopoulos, President and CEO of A2A Pharmaceuticals. Read more here!
Visit Komvos-Node’s YouTube channel to watch the discussions of the 1st and 2nd Conference:
a. Workshop (2023)
b. Workshop (2024)