France Biotech proposals for the national loan

Starting last August, a commission presided by former Prime Ministers Alain Juppé and Michel Rocard has been working out what areas to finance with the future “national loan,” to be contracted in January 2010 at the latest. It should help to fund three objectives: the knowledge economy, business competitiveness and innovative industrial facilities.

France Biotech, the French association of life science companies, is concerned about the 79% drop in investment in research. It has therefore outlined its recommendations for the national loan.

“The French government's National Loan is an opportunity that we must seize if biotech is to become a major economic driver for the next 50 years. he French government's National Loan is an opportunity that we must seize if biotech is to become a major economic driver for the next 50 years. We advise against the creation of a new, resource-consuming organization but to improve and reinforce existing institutions. Our objective is to see funding focused on the major high-potential scientific and business sectors in which France has the skills to be a global leader. France needs to seize its place in the leading pack of life science specialists,” emphasizes André Choulika, President of France Biotech.

In concrete terms, France Biotech suggests reinforcing the ANR, reinstating and reinforcing the OSEO Innovation budget and concentrate funding on the four following areas:
- Stem cells (drug development and regenerative medicine): 500 million euros per year over 5 years.
- Biofuels (micro-algae, fungi and bacteria): 700 million euros per year over 5 years
- Complex implantable devices: 600 million euros per year over 5 ans.
- Therapeutic vaccines: 800 million euros per year over 5 years.