August 2008

BIO Deutschland accompanies government delegation to China

The founding meeting of the German-Chinese Working Group on the Medical Sector and Biotechnology was held at the end of June. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Head of the Industrial Policy Department at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, Dr Manfred Schubert, and the Deputy Director of the High-Tech Industry Department at the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Ren Zhiwu. The German delegation was made up of businesspeople, scientists and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the German Embassy. Representatives of German biotechnology included  Dr Pablo Serrano (BIO Deutschland), Uwe Ahrens (CEO Co.don AG), Dr Bernward Garthoff (Bayer AG and dib board), Dr Norbert Stöhr (Bayer China Ltd.) and Dr Finn Zedler (Qiagen China). The Chinese side was represented by NDRC staff, various research institutes and representatives  of economic associations and chambers of commerce. Around 50 people attended the meeting.

The meeting was used to set objectives, particularly as regards the working group’s priority areas and working mechanisms. Both sides made good use of the opportunity and made substantial contributions by giving presentations on their institutions and projects. BIO Deutschland gave a presentation on the latest figures from recent surveys in order to provide the Chinese side with an overview of the performance characteristics and the structure of innovative biotech SMEs in Germany.

The primary aim of the working group’s meeting was to define topics for bilateral cooperation as concretely as possible and to set up corresponding sub-groups. The task of these sub-groups will be to investigate how synergies can be used and how cooperation between the two countries can be further developed. One of the main topics is biotechnology and genetic engineering, including regenerative medicine and molecular diagnostics.

The German delegation was also invited to attend the opening of the Chinese trade fair, BioIndustry China, on 21 June 2008, where regional pavilions, state institutes, bioparks and a few companies were provided with a presentation platform of around 10,000m² of exhibition space.

The China Bioindustry Convention took place after the trade fair opening, giving the Chinese bioindustry an opportunity to present its work. Around 700 people attended the convention. The lectures on topics including traditional Chinese medicine, renewable raw materials, conventional hybrid rice cultivation, contract manufacturing of antibodies, and vitamins were given by representatives of the many Chinese state institutions rather than by companies.

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