Application of knowledge and technologies in the field of genomics and biotechnology for health

Objectives : to foster the competitiveness of Europe's biotechnology industry in developing new diagnostic, disease prevention and therapeutic tools that contribute to better and more cost-efficient health care.

Approach : Support for technological platforms in which academic and industrial partners collaborate in multidisciplinary approaches to develop these tools, using cutting- edge technologies arising from genomic research.

Research Action Headings with linked call topics:

• Rational and accelerated development of new, safer, more effective drugs including pharmacogenomics approaches
• Development of new diagnostics
• Development of new in vitro tests to replace animal experimentation
• Development and testing of new preventive and therapeutic tools, such as somatic gene and cell therapies (in particular stem cell therapies, for example those on neurological and neuromuscular disorders) and immunotherapies
• Innovative research in post-genomics, which has high potential for application

General considerations:
Support will be aimed in particular towards innovative research in genomic start-ups and research-based SMEs. Project consortia should integrate SMEs as full participants and make the innovation aspects visible through clear dissemination and exploitation plans.

Ethical and regulatory issues should be taken into account, and experts, patients, and the public involved and consulted as appropriate, in an effort to promote socially responsible choices, public acceptance and an efficient exploitation of the new technologies being developed.

Relevant publications:

• 100 Technology Offers stemming from EU Biotechnology RTD results (Download in PDF)
• Today's research for tomorrow's treatments - Cell factory research projects with clinical relevance, download from CORDIS Quality of Life Publications

Human Frontier Science Programme (HFSP)

Considering the Community's interest in the Human Frontier Science Programme (HFSP) and the commonality of objectives with this theme, an annual contribution, which will provide the possibility for non G8 Member States to fully benefit from the programme, will be made available for the whole duration of FP6.

Further information may be had at : rtd-genomics-biotec@ec.europa.eu