Article publicat a: Catalan International View (A European Review of the World)

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• dimecres, 28 de maig de 2008 | 19:33h

Biotechnology and Biomedicine in Catalunya, a window on the world
by Manel Balcells

The birth of a cluster from a biomedical alliance

The embryo of the BioRegion of Catalunya was the ‘Barcelona Biomedical Alliance’, an agreement signed on the 3rd of September 2003 by three of the main participants in the biomedical scene in Catalunya: two leading science parks and a research institute. Subsequently two Catalan universities have joined the initiative.
This first step towards a common, successful future of excellence in life sciences was sponsored by the ‘Generalitat de Catalunya’ (the Government of Catalunya) and the Barcelona City Council. The purpose of the initiative was to organize public biomedical research in Catalunya and build up its competitiveness, according to the European policy of promoting environments of scientific and technological excellence. The Government identified an area of future growth with enough potentail to compete at a global level. On the 14th of February 2006, Biocat was formally constituted as the organization that promotes the biotechnology and biomedicine in Catalunya. Now, the BioRegion of Catalunya (the biocluster) is fully consolidated.
At the beginning of 2007, Dr. Montserrat Vendrell (as director) and myself (as president of the Executive Committee) took the lead of Biocat, with the goals of facilitating networking among the different stakeholders, fostering biotechnology and biomedicine as key economic motors for the country, promoting Catalunya on the world stage, and contributing to a better understanding and perception of life sciences in society. This commitment to competitiveness involves defining the right instruments, and the initiatives to be undertaken. This is the responsibility of Biocat. 

The Catalan Government and the Barcelona City Council are not only continuing to explicitly support this platform, they also are providing impetus, through the regional Ministries involved (Health, Economy, Universities, Innovation and Industry, and  the Vice-presidency). The president and vice-president of the Catalan Government are also president and vice-president of the Biocat board. The position of executive president of Biocat, which I currently hold, is designated by the government.

The Catalan reality: excellence in research and innovation:

Catalunya stands out in the field of clinical research and human health, with a network of 60 hospitals, six of which count among Spain’s most prolific hospitals in terms of scientific production. Twelve universities and twelve science parks, six of them specifically dedicated to biomedical and agro-food research and development activities, host a network of services (technology platforms) in different areas (genomics, proteomics, crystallography, nanotechnology, fine chemistry and so on).

Modern biotechnology is applied to medicine and health care in therapeutics, mainly for the discovery and production of new drugs

Barcelona hosts the ITER (‘Fusion for Energy’) headquarters, and will also be home to Alba, a new European Synchrotron (an electron accelerator that produces X-Rays used for research purposes).

Research in Catalunya

The network of 150 research centres of excellence include; the IBM-UPC Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, with Mare Nostrum (the most powerful supercomputer in Europe) the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), with outstand-ing researchers such as Miguel Beato; the Barcelona Regenerative Medicine Centre (CMRB, whose director, Juan Carlos Izpisúa, is also professor of the Gene Expression Laboratory at the Salk Institute); the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS); the research institute of Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, which, in terms of scientific production, is the most prolific hospital in Catalunya (and the Spanish state); and the Biomedical Research Institute (IRB), whose  president, the leading Catalan expert on cancer metastasis, Joan Massagué, is also director of the Cancer Biology and Genetics Program at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre (Massagué has been one of the 50 most cited authors in all fields of science in the last twenty years). These and other excellence centres linked to universities, the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and science parks, host more than 400 research groups in life sciences generating excellence projects that feed the biotechnology start-up companies and big pharmaceutical partners.

The three existing biomedical science parks in Greater Barcelona are; the Barcelona Science Park (PCB), home to the first bioincubator in Catalunya; the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB); and the UAB Science Park (Autonomous University of Barcelona), the latter being home to a group of centres created to respond to specific needs in research fields of great interest. The PRBB is one of the largest biomedical re-search parks in Southern Europe, home to several excellent research institutes, and forms a knowledge core for one of the main innovation assets of the city, 22@Barcelona, a technology district that integrates the different agents in the field of innovation.

Catalan Biotech companies

About 250 companies are linked to the bio-technology sector (60 biotechnological, 60 pharmaceutical and around 120 using biotech or providing services to the biotech industry). About 800 people work in the Biotech sector, and 20,000 in the pharmaceutical.

Biotechnology is the application of science and technology to living organisms, or to parts, products and models of them, for the production of knowledge, goods and services. Modern biotechnology is applied in medicine and health care in therapeutics, mainly for the discovery and production of new drugs, in preventives for the development of vaccines, and in diagnostic kits. Most of the biotechnology companies in Catalunya focus on drug development and diagnosis.

Catalunya also boasts four large domestic pharmaceutical companies that have evolved into multinationals: Almirall, Esteve, Ferrer and Uri-ach. Also subsidiaries of some of the main multinational companies in the sector have chosen Catalunya as a venue. Some examples are Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Pfizer and Sanofi Aventis. Together they account for about sixty percent of Spanish pharmaceutical production. The current trend in the Catalan biotech sec-tor is to create new businesses at a rate of more than 10 companies per year. In 2006 and 2007 Catalunya was the most dynamic Autonomous Community in the Spanish state in terms of the creation of new biotech companies.

The international stage

To attract international interest, Catalunya counts on some inherent assets, such as a strategic location and good quality of life, but also with unique assets, such as excellence in research and an entrepreneurial spirit. We must profit from the fact that Barcelona is considered a dynamic and innovative location, with the highest quality of life in Europe (according to Cushman & Wakefield’s 2006 European Cities Monitor Research), and the fourth best city in Europe for businesses.

Throughout 2007 Biocat coordinated the candidacy of Barcelona as European headquarters for the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI). Despite the fact that the European Commission took the decision to establish the headquarters in Brussels, we are now obtaining the benefits of this previous work, in terms of Catalunya’s raised profile and the possibility of participating in European consortia. We are also facilitating the ac-cess of local institutions and companies to other European funding programs. We have also set the basis for the participation of Catalunya in the Eurobioregion project, beginning to work with our French counterparts in the design of the Southern Europe Biocluster.

All the structures in the bio sector need a brand in order to act collectively with enough critical mass to compete at all levels and to accede to global resources

Exploring further afield, Biocat has signed a memorandum of understanding with the All India Biotech Association to favour the partnership between Catalan and Indian companies. While thinking globally but acting more locally, we are working with local institutions to identify and ad-dress internationalisation needs, such as the identification of geographic areas of interest, grants for missions, delegations and conferences, and so on. We coordinate the participation of the sector in international events, such as the BIO Inter-national Convention. In 2008 our BIO delegation to San Diego to attend the world’s premier biotechnology conference will exceed 70 people, more than two thirds of the participants from the Spanish state.

Future plans: boost Catalunya’s profile

The months to come will be very busy for the BioRegion. Thanks to Biocat’s role as a catalyst, several major projects are in the pipeline.

The Industrial Innovative Clusters Project

Biocat has led significant actions in the private sector, such as the presentation of two specific plans, for Biotechnology and for Medical Technologies, to the Spanish Ministry of Industry. These seek to improve the international competitiveness of Catalan companies in terms of innovative capabilities.

Biopol Health Park

In terms of infrastructures, for both the public and private sector, we coordinate the Biopol Health Park project, a 300,000m2 Science Park near Barcelona, focused on human health and built to host hospitals, universities, research centres and companies. This project is aimed at leveraging the sector and surpassing the local stage to become an international hub, meeting quality standards in terms of advanced facilities, as well as urban image and design.

The European Institute of Technology

The future European Institute of Technology (EIT) is a great opportunity for Europe to see innovation as the main driver to the European Community’s development. It represents a major European innovation project, relying on techno-logical excellence and regional cooperation. This institute will be built around (and benefit from) relevant, already existing, development cores (Knowledge Innovation Communities or KICs), that will stimulate the necessary collaboration between industry and institutions, between public and private sectors. Biocat is leading the efforts towards the EIT initiative in Catalunya.

Training

According to the general goal of recruiting top human capital to cover the biomedical and biotechnological sector needs, we are also promoting the creation of experienced pools of managers for the life science industry. The proposal involves recruiting internationally, as well as training at local and European level. Programs for experts may require the establishment of specific grants to help entrepreneurs to achieve the mobility requirements to attend the different European modules on biotechnology industry management.

A brand: Catalan excellence

Catalunya, its researchers and all the structures in the bio sector need a brand in order to act collectively with enough critical mass to compete at all levels, to accede to global resources, to international projects and to communicate with the world competitiveness clusters. The agreements we have established with India, Finland, the West Coast of the USA and the Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon French regions, must allow a fluent exchange of experience, expertise and partnerships on the international stage.

Acting jointly, we are strong enough to have a presence in a global world. This strength will en-able us to form a spearhead towards a knowledge-based economy. This unified image will be made visible by means of collaborations in future issues of this publication. Relevant representatives and outstanding experts of the Catalan life sciences community will use this window on the world to disseminate the Catalan stamp of excellence, through diverse visions of this modern, competitive Catalunya.

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Decret de la Sequera + Pla Inuncat = País de pandereta

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• Coses meves
• dimecres, 28 de maig de 2008 | 19:02h

Portem un parell de setmanes que no para de ploure, que en tot moment en un racó o altre del país, està plovent, i en conseqüència cada dia tenim una nova dada sobre el nivell dels embassaments catalans que no para d'augmentar, fins al punt que tenim més del doble d'aigua que fa un parell de mesos, quan aleshores sí que estàvem en plena emergència nacional... Fins hi tot un assessor del departament de medi ambient, en una entrevista al Món a RAC1, deia l'altre dia que ja no hi ha sequera, que només cal observar el nostre entorn...

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Cau una paret de les Adoberies i els culpables en donen la culpa a la pluja

• quimvic
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• La caseta
• dimecres, 28 de maig de 2008 | 19:01h

Ahir a la tarda va caure la paret de llevant d’un dels edificis de les Adoberies.

La versió oficial diu que la paret va caure per culpa de les pluges caigudes en els darrers dies.

Però la realitat és una altra:

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En dos paraules “IN-SOLIDARIS”

• iniciativaperlliria
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• Llíria
• dimecres, 28 de maig de 2008 | 19:00h

Ens ho contaven hi no podíem donar credibilitat. Hui, que moltes administracions públiques (també les governades pel PP) han fet 5 minuts de condol per la mort de les 4 persones quan treballaven en la construcció del nou Mestalla, a l’ajuntament de Llíria el govern local ha prohibit taxativament als funcionaris i treballadors sumar-se a este acte. I no només aixó, sembla que s’ha passat llista a veure qui ha sortit a fer este simple acte de solidaritat amb unes persones que desgraciadament han mort treballat. Sr. Alcalde, on tenen la solidaritat? Per què en unes morts si es concentrem i fem bans i en altres (com és el cas) no deixem? A l’any moren més persones en accidents laborals que en atemptats terroristes, però el govern com sempre, gira la cara i mira cap un altre costat. Malament anem, molt malament. Com diria el Jesulin en dos paraules, ací, a Lllíria, al nostre ajuntament, tenim als “in-solidaris” del dia.

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Sebastià Salellas, un dels nostres

• jordimartif69
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• Què passa?
• dimecres, 28 de maig de 2008 | 19:00h

Defensar la justícia en el món de la Justícia, escoltar els sense veu i ser moltes vegades la seva veu, defensar les llibertats en un món "liberal", no deixar de somiar que és possible un altre món, més just, més humà, més igual per a totes i tots. Sempre he considerat el Sebastià Salellas com "un dels nostres", perquè penso que nosaltres som aixì, com ell. Per això em produeix una gran tristesa assabentar-me, avui mentre venia de dinar, que ja no veurem més la seva barba al costat dels desposseïts, la seva mirada davant dels tribunals d'excepció de l'Estat ocupant, els seu somriure quan la feina donava resultats. No el coneixia personalment però tenia i tinc clar que ell era dels nostres. Salut i que la terra no et pesi i continuïs volant lliure. I per als que tenies a la vora i que són qui més notarà la teva absència, una forta abraçada del Camp estant.

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1 any

• ferranfalco
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• Badalona
• dimecres, 28 de maig de 2008 | 18:55h

Enllestir la ordenança de civisme. Millorar la seguretat a la zona d’oci de Can Ribó. Aconseguir diners per la Clínica del Carme, la Rambla, la remodelació de la Torre Mena i per Ca l’Arnús. Tenir diners per invertir en la informàtica municipal,  per la construcció d’una llar d’infants a Montigalà, o per arreglar algunes escoles de Badalona. Resoldre l’enderroc, proper, dels banys Balluguets. Posar dos equips permanents per a netejar graffitis. Arreglar la fuita d’aigua de Canyet. Disminuir el numero de pisos sobreocupats problemàtics. Començar l’aparcament de Can Claris i el de la Plaça de Països Catalans. Obrir la possibilitat de retirar el “peatge” del Port de Badalona. Multiplicar el dispositiu de vigilància de platges. Convocar 38 noves places per a la Guàrdia Urbana.

Em deixo coses, segur. No fem tot el que voldríem, ni podem fer tot el que caldria, però en menys d’un any, hem enfilat projectes aconseguint-ne el finançament, i hem començat a resoldre desoris del passat.

Hi ha qui, des de posicions polítiques, afirma que no fem res. Una afirmació sense matisos, inexacte, i que mereix una resposta tranquil·la, constant, i pràctica. Deixem que parlin els fets, i apliquem als qui no ho volen veure aquella dita de la guineu, que quan no les pot haver, diu que són verdes.

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Nit de Premis Tupinada 2008 a Valls

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• Què passa?
• dimecres, 28 de maig de 2008 | 18:37h

Aquest dissabte, l'Assemblea de Joves de Valls ha organitzat el lliurament de premis Tupinada 2008, una resposta intel·ligent, radical i entenimentada per als qui els van donar un pemi, els el van negar i es va haver d'inventar excuses i mentides sobre les bases per no donar un reconeixement a qui més se'l mereixia. Tal com diuen a la convocatòria, "aneu-hi vestits de mafiosos i mafioses".
Podeu llegir la notícia a Pobleviu (http://www.pobleviu.cat/index.php?id_categoria=17&madre=7&id_noticia=1084)

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President Montilla: vostè té la paraula (i jo callo)

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• PSC
• dimecres, 28 de maig de 2008 | 18:26h

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"El Periódico", sempre marcant nivell...

• jotajotai
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• Diaris i revistes
• dimecres, 28 de maig de 2008 | 18:18h

Quan aquest matí he vist la portada d'"El Periódico" -aquest graaan diari català- he tingut un ensurt. Déu meu, he pensat, què deu haver passat en el món perquè avui no surtin convenientment destacats en la portada ni el senyor Rodriguez Zapatero ni el senyor Montilla, que en solen ser els hostes habituals.

Però no. Fora alarmismes. Avui aquests esforçats pal·ladins de "la Catalunya optimista" i d'"allò que realment interessa a la gent" han considerat que havien de consagrar la portada del seu diari a la famosa i transcendental picabaralla entre cuiners divins -Santi Santamaria, Ferran Adrià, "et alia"...- sobre l'ús i l'abús en les seves menges d'additius industrials i que tan preocupada té a la ciutadania en general.

Vaja... que vivim en un país tan collonut que no hi passa res prou interessant com per posar-ho a portada i cal anar tapant forats d'aquesta manera.  (n'hi ha més)

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Chopin i George Sand: els viatgers romàntics

• anselm
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• dimecres, 28 de maig de 2008 | 18:13h

Chopin i George Sand: els viatgers romàntics 

El llibre Dos viatgers romàntics: George Sand i Frédéric Chopin que acaba de publicar Edicions Can Sifre, especialment l'article titulat "Les relacions amoroses de George Sand", intenta donar algunes pistes al respecte tot estudiant alguns dels llibres més interessant que s´han publicat sobre la qüestió. I em referesc especialment a la biografia que sobre Sand ha publicat una destacada especialista en literatura francesa, Belinda Jack, graduada per la Universitat de Kent i doctora per la Universitat d'Oxford. El llibre, que nodreix de molta informació en referència a la vida amorosa de l'escriptora francesa, té per títol George Sand i aporta nous elements d´anàlisi, imprescindibles si havíem de tractar amb profunditat i seriositat el personatge que ens ocupa. I és precisament la complexitat de la vida amorosa i sentimental de Sand el que he provat de reflectir en El darrer hivern de Chopin i George Sand i en Corambé: el dietari de George Sand. Un complicat món amorós que no es pot entendre sense copsar la influència de les idees de Fourier i de molts dels socialistes utòpics de mitjans del segle XIX en la vida de la nostra autora. Hi ha un llibre que ens permet copsar a fons el món ideològic i cultural del primer terç del segle XIX, a París. Parlam de Los socialistas utópicos de Dominique Desanti, publicat per Anagrama de Barcelona l'any 1973. És a partir de Fourier, de Saint Simon, de tots els altres pensadors de la "revolta personal" i l'"amor universal" que podem entendre des de quines coordenades intel·lectuals actuava aquesta revolucionària parisenca. [Continuar]

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