Austrian Research Council publishes recommendations for life sciences strategy
The Austrian Council for Research and Technological Development has published a recommendation for a strategy to develop life sciences in Austria. The comprehensive report begins by setting out the justification for introducing a specific strategy for life sciences in Austria. 'Life sciences are widely thought to be the technologies of the future in a knowledge-based society, and also as the areas with the furthest reaching development and added value potential for the next decades. They offer the opportunity to research numerous global questions on health, nutrition, age, the environment and sustainable development, and they present concrete solution strategies for these areas,' states the council. The recommended strategy includes developing political leadership, ensuring an open dialogue and communications strategy, improving regulatory conditions and legal certainty, strengthening life science clusters, carrying out a benchmarking study, cooperating with the countries of Central Europe, making more of EU funding opportunities, supporting scientific excellence, supporting human resources, establishing technology transfer centres at universities, establishing new research centres, and assisting start-ups. Austria has a relatively good track record in the life sciences, but the report states that a strategy is now necessary both because of, and in spite of, this strong starting position. The strategy should mean that misguided decisions are avoided, current hurdles are cleared, and the attractiveness of Austria is secured for the future. Political leadership is highlighted by the report as a requirement in order to both create the right conditions for the further development of the life sciences in Austria, and to anchor the slogan 'Life sciences as an opportunity for Austria' in the consciousness of Austrians. Austria's progress must not be slowed by politicians' hesitancy, the council states. Examples given include: the implementation of necessary legislative provisions; pragmatic and convincing decisions, particularly in relation to sensitive areas of research such as stem cell research and therapeutic cloning; and the danger of research emigration and clinical tourism. International investors and partners must be motivated by a clear signal in terms of policy to regard Austria as the place to practise life sciences, states the report. The report supports the building of clusters as a way in which to improve the profile and international positioning of Austria. In order to succeed as a small country in international competition, regional structures are indispensable for Austria's life sciences, the report states. The council recommends sticking to the current strategy of concentrating on just a few regions, and of ensuring that the selected regions have the potential to achieve a critical mass. Clusters should be synchronised by a coordinating group, it adds. However, the report emphasises that in order to increase the competitiveness of Austria, it is essential that the whole country is regarded in the international context as a single region. The council notes the opportunity opened up to Austria with the enlargement of the EU to the East: 'Austria could establish leadership in the areas of life sciences in the Central Europe region, and act as a driving force for cooperation with neighbouring countries.' Further participation in the EU's research framework programmes would also be desirable, states the report, emphasising the financial returns made possible by the programmes. For its part, the Austrian government must, however, ensure that adequate support is available for Austrian entities wishing to participate in the programmes, the report adds.
Countries
Austria