Results of second call for proposals under the BIOTECH programme
The European Commission, DG XII, has published the results of the second call for proposals under the specific RTD programme in the field of biotechnology (BIOTECH). The call was opened on 15 September 1995 (OJ No C 240 of 15.9.1996 p. 9) and closed on 10 January 1996. A total of 152 projects were chosen for funding out of the 797 submitted. These 152 projects will receive total funding of ECU 206.6 million. The Commission welcomed the increase in industrial participation, with 65% of projects involving industry. In addition, there are some 80 SMEs participating in the projects, which also reflects an increase. The projects selected are spread across all eight areas of the programme. In the vaccines area, the 14 projects selected match the priorities of the Commission's task force on vaccines and viral diseases, thus reinforcing the Commission's commitment to this area. Examples of projects selected include: - Cell factories producing hot enzymes; - Vaccines from food bacteria; - Growing blood cells for human therapy; - Developing new instruments for 3D visualization of molecules and processes; - Developing molecular tools to assess biodiversity in trees.