Biotechnology is behind more than 40% of the active ingredients in medications included in the list of essential drugs in Europe

The European Commission (EC), in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the heads of the drug agencies of the Member States, has released the first version of the list of critical drugs for the European Union. In total, 268 drugs have been identified, and it is noteworthy that over 40% of the active ingredients used in their development have been developed through biotechnology, such as in the case of insulins and vaccines.

Since the approval of the first recombinant human insulin in 1982, biotechnology has radically transformed the discovery and development of new drugs. Over the past four decades, the biotechnology industry has shaped the landscape of medicine with more than 300 biotechnological drugs approved for around 250 different indications. It is worth noting that 69% of drugs in development are the result of biotechnological advancements.

Furthermore, currently, there are a thousand molecules in various stages of research worldwide, being investigated with the aim of finding new therapeutic active ingredients or discovering new applications for existing ones.

Undoubtedly, health emerges as the field of application that has most driven the development of biotechnology through innovative solutions. The latest example has been seen with the Covid-19 pandemic and the development of safe and effective vaccines using mRNA technology.

Beyond Covid-19, biotechnology positions itself as a fundamental pillar in protecting global health due to its cross-cutting capacity to address challenges in multiple areas. The biotechnology sector is crucial in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, the development of new vaccines, advanced therapies, and precision medicine and diagnosis.

Biotechnology, one of the pivotal areas for the future of the EU

In October of last year, the European Commission initiated a review process to identify the risk of dependency in four areas deemed "pivotal", including biotechnology (alongside artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and quantum technology). These technologies were selected for their risks of dependencies and threats, as well as their transformative nature and potential to drive radical changes.

It is noteworthy that the European Commission has also highlighted biotechnology in its Work Programme for 2024 due to its "high potential for growth and labor productivity."

With the aim of following the path set by Brussels, given Spain's high scientific and technological potential, the Spanish Association of Biotechnology Companies (AseBio) has launched the "Give Life to Biotechnology" campaign.

This initiative aims to emphasize and raise awareness of biotechnology as a highly innovative industry in our country. It is based on a commitment to recognize its role as crucial for Spain and the European Union's strategic autonomy, establish a fund for deep strategic technologies, expedite the market entry of biotechnological innovations, promote talent, encourage biotechnological R&D, and strengthen the role of the Public Administration as a driving force for innovation.

The "Give Life to Biotechnology" campaign is the cornerstone supporting the request made by AseBio, along with the Spanish Association of the Semiconductor Industry (AESEMI), the Spanish Association of Digital Economy (Adigital), and Secpho, a technological innovation cluster. They have urged the government to create a High Commissioner for Deep Strategic Technologies to consolidate Spain's commitment to these technologies at a critical moment for the future of Europe.

Biotechnology plays a key role in achieving what the EC has termed the "European Health Union" and ensuring patients' access to medications. The inclusion of drugs in this initial list of essential medications does not imply an imminent risk of scarcity but aims to prevent potential shortages to avoid significant harm to patients and pose challenges to European healthcare systems. Achieving this goal involves progressing toward Europe's strategic autonomy through pivotal areas such as biotechnology.