In this issue

Well-received “SMEs go LifeSciences” support activities and start into the second half of the initiative

Successful “SMEs go LifeSciences” transnational training and brokerage event held in Bratislava during 6-7 October 2005, organised by SARC, Centre for Advancement, Science and Technology

Last call in TP1 closed on 9. November 2005, but an ERA-NET initiative in biotechnology is about to open a trans-national call for proposals in January 2006

Presentation of services offered by "SMEs go LifeSciences" on the occasion of the Biotech Andalucía 2005 event, during 17-18 November 2005

European Biotechnology Crossroads, taking place in Lille, on 28-30 November 2005

Towards FP7

European Technology Platforms

Project coordinator is
FFG-Austrian Research Promotion Agency
European and International Programmes (EIP)

The SMEs go LifeSciences project is
co-funded by the European Commission

www.smesgolifesciences.org

Well-received “SMEs go LifeSciences” support activities and start into the second half of the initiative
“SMEs go LifeSciences” is in midstream as of September 2005. More than 115 SMEs have been involved Europe-wide in Life Science project consortia for project submission in 2004 and 2005 within FP6. During a midterm assessment and network meeting the project results have been reviewed and an action plan for 2006 has been elaborated.
Read more about the project results here >

Successful “SMEs go LifeSciences” transnational training and brokerage event held in Bratislava during 6-7 October 2005, organised by SARC, Centre for Advancement, Science and Technology
The Slovak partner of SMEs go LifeSciences organised a transnational FP6 training and brokerage event in Bratislava during 6-7 October 2005, supporting researchers and SMEs in project proposal submission and in finding research partners for the last Call in TP1. 2 participants were immediately successful in finding a project partner for their project consortium
Read more here >

Last call in TP1 closed on 9. November 2005, but an ERA-NET initiative in biotechnology is about to open a trans-national call for proposals in January 2006
The last call in TP1 has closed on 9. November 2005. EUROTRANS-BIO, an ERA-NET initiative will open a trans-national call for proposals on 1st January 2006. Biotech SMEs from Austria, Finland, France, Germany and Spain are invited to submit innovative research (industrial R&D, applied research) proposals (with a consortium including at least two SMEs and with the coordinator to be an SME) Click here for more info >

Presentation of services offered by "SMEs go LifeSciences" on the occasion of the Biotech Andalucía 2005 event, during 17-18 November 2005
On the occasion of the Biotech Andalucía 2005 event, co-organised by the Innovation Relay Centres Network, SMEs go LifeSciences presented its services offered for participation in FP6 projects, together with the presentation of the Call for Proposal to be launched by the EUROTRANS-BIO ERA-Net initiative in January 2005. Services offered to all actors in the life-sciences sector to prepare for the 7th Framework Programme were focused on. Read more here >

European Biotechnology Crossroads, taking place in Lille, on 28-30 November 2005
Biotech meets Europe on 28-30 November 2005. The 9th European Biotechnology Crossroads will take place in Lille, France. 3,000 visitors are expected, 250 exhibitors and 100 speakers. 4 events are planned, a biotech trade show, a partnering convention, a chain of seminars and a recruitment conventions. For further details on the agenda and registration please click here >

Towards FP7
On 21 September 2005 the European Commission approved its proposals for a Council decision concerning the Specific Programmes implementing FP7 as of 1st January 2007.
FP7 will be the EU key instrument for funding scientific research and technological development over the period 2007 to 2013, and will be one of the most important elements in realising the Lisbon agenda for growth and competitiveness. Organised in 4 programmes, i.e. Cooperation, People, Ideas and Capacities, 9 high level themes have been identified for funding. Emphasis will be on research themes, rather than on instruments, meeting European industry’s needs through active Technology Platforms.
Read more about the programme and structure of FP7 here >

European Technology Platforms
New important actors in FP7 will be the European Technology Platforms which have been set up to define research and development priorities and action plans.They will also provide support in establishing public-private partnerships at European level. They will focus will lie on areas with significant economic impact, high societal relevance and public interest. The European Platform on Innovative Medicines aims at removing bottlenecks which hamper efficient development of new medicines and supporting the creation of biomedical R&D leadership for Europe. Detailed research needs and the way to address them have been identified in a Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) provided here >