Periodic Reporting for period 2 - COBIOE (GROWING CONNECTION FOR BIO ECOSYSTEMS)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-03-01 al 2025-06-30
Project Context and objectives
The COBIOE project, "Growing Connection for BIO Ecosystems," targets critical gaps in the European bioproduction landscape, which includes biologics, innovative therapeutics like gene and cellular therapies, and high-tech drugs based on cell and molecular biology. Biotherapies, comprising 24.3% of the global drug market, are poised for substantial growth. However, Europe's bioproduction sector faces challenges such as fragmented ecosystems, uneven regional development, and the need for advanced technological integration for Industry 4.0.
COBIOE aims to:
Map and Integrate Ecosystems: Provide a comprehensive overview of European bioproduction value chains.
Promote Synergies and Collaboration: Foster collaboration across regions.
Build a Robust Digital Platform: Enhance stakeholder engagement and data sharing.
Align Policy and Funding: Support bioproduction through cohesive strategies.
The COBIOE project, "Growing Connection for BIO Ecosystems," targets critical gaps in the European bioproduction landscape, which includes biologics, innovative therapeutics like gene and cellular therapies, and high-tech drugs based on cell and molecular biology. Biotherapies, comprising 24.3% of the global drug market, are poised for substantial growth. However, Europe's bioproduction sector faces challenges such as fragmented ecosystems, uneven regional development, and the need for advanced technological integration for Industry 4.0.
COBIOE aims to:
Map and Integrate Ecosystems: Provide a comprehensive overview of European bioproduction value chains.
Promote Synergies and Collaboration: Foster collaboration across regions.
Build a Robust Digital Platform: Enhance stakeholder engagement and data sharing.
Align Policy and Funding: Support bioproduction through cohesive strategies.
WP2 – mapping and analysis of bioproduction ecosystems
COBIOE developed a detailed database of key bioproduction players, technologies, and ecosystem maturity across 18 European and associated countries. This internal mapping was integrated into the digital platform to support visibility and value chain positioning.
Through 25 semi-structured interviews and a validated questionnaire, ecosystem dynamics and regional strategies were assessed. The consolidated data enabled a comprehensive SWOT analysis, revealing Europe’s excellence in R&D but also gaps in industrial capacity, skills retention, and regulatory consistency. The final landscape report offers a strategic basis for interregional collaboration.
WP3 – modelling the European bioproduction value network
A Europe-wide value chain model was co-designed with partners, based on WP2 data and aligned with IPCEI Med4Cure logic. It maps the full innovation pipeline, from raw materials to patient access, and serves as a shared reference.
Six thematic focus groups were launched around key EU challenges (skills, funding, sovereignty, etc.). A joint connection plan defined shared objectives, engagement mechanisms, and was embedded into the platform to coordinate collaboration among ecosystems.
WP4 – joint activities implementation
From November 2024 to June 2025, 13 working sessions were held within the focus groups, fostering peer exchange and drafting joint guidelines. Over 145 participants contributed to the discussions.
COBIOE mapped 40+ biomanufacturing projects and engaged 15. Collaborations were initiated with strategic initiatives like T2EVOLVE, JOIN4ATMP, and REMEDI4ALL. Joint actions were co-planned on funding, regulation, and skills, monitored via the community platform. Evaluation showed strong interest, particularly in funding and talent topics. By mid-2025, the platform had 140 users, 300+ shared publications, and 89,000 entries in the intelligence tool.
WP5 – digital connection system development
Following user consultations, the digital system was developed with Coexel, integrating smart directory, mapping, and intelligence features. A second provider, Jamespot, supported the interactive community module.
Launched in January 2024 and completed in July, the platform offers: an interactive EU value chain, a smart directory of 1,000+ entries, and a competitive intelligence dashboard. Regular updates and co-validation ensured functionality aligned with stakeholder needs and ensured long-term usability.
WP6 – visibility and stakeholder engagement
Stakeholder engagement ensured COBIOE activities reflected national and regional expectations. A dedicated stakeholder group was established to support long-term coordination.
COBIOE’s visibility was reinforced through presence at over 10 international events (Arab Health, Genesis, IPCEI Health Info Day, etc.), fostering new partnerships. WP6 also initiated a sustainability dialogue focused on governance and post-project continuity, laying the foundations for the platform’s long-term operation beyond June 2025.
COBIOE developed a detailed database of key bioproduction players, technologies, and ecosystem maturity across 18 European and associated countries. This internal mapping was integrated into the digital platform to support visibility and value chain positioning.
Through 25 semi-structured interviews and a validated questionnaire, ecosystem dynamics and regional strategies were assessed. The consolidated data enabled a comprehensive SWOT analysis, revealing Europe’s excellence in R&D but also gaps in industrial capacity, skills retention, and regulatory consistency. The final landscape report offers a strategic basis for interregional collaboration.
WP3 – modelling the European bioproduction value network
A Europe-wide value chain model was co-designed with partners, based on WP2 data and aligned with IPCEI Med4Cure logic. It maps the full innovation pipeline, from raw materials to patient access, and serves as a shared reference.
Six thematic focus groups were launched around key EU challenges (skills, funding, sovereignty, etc.). A joint connection plan defined shared objectives, engagement mechanisms, and was embedded into the platform to coordinate collaboration among ecosystems.
WP4 – joint activities implementation
From November 2024 to June 2025, 13 working sessions were held within the focus groups, fostering peer exchange and drafting joint guidelines. Over 145 participants contributed to the discussions.
COBIOE mapped 40+ biomanufacturing projects and engaged 15. Collaborations were initiated with strategic initiatives like T2EVOLVE, JOIN4ATMP, and REMEDI4ALL. Joint actions were co-planned on funding, regulation, and skills, monitored via the community platform. Evaluation showed strong interest, particularly in funding and talent topics. By mid-2025, the platform had 140 users, 300+ shared publications, and 89,000 entries in the intelligence tool.
WP5 – digital connection system development
Following user consultations, the digital system was developed with Coexel, integrating smart directory, mapping, and intelligence features. A second provider, Jamespot, supported the interactive community module.
Launched in January 2024 and completed in July, the platform offers: an interactive EU value chain, a smart directory of 1,000+ entries, and a competitive intelligence dashboard. Regular updates and co-validation ensured functionality aligned with stakeholder needs and ensured long-term usability.
WP6 – visibility and stakeholder engagement
Stakeholder engagement ensured COBIOE activities reflected national and regional expectations. A dedicated stakeholder group was established to support long-term coordination.
COBIOE’s visibility was reinforced through presence at over 10 international events (Arab Health, Genesis, IPCEI Health Info Day, etc.), fostering new partnerships. WP6 also initiated a sustainability dialogue focused on governance and post-project continuity, laying the foundations for the platform’s long-term operation beyond June 2025.
As a coordination and support action (CSA), COBIOE has contributed to strengthening the foundations for a more connected, resilient and forward-looking bioproduction landscape in Europe. Its results provide structured insights, digital tools and collaborative frameworks that can inform future research, investment and policy initiatives in this strategic sector.
1. Further research and demonstration
Continued investment in demonstration projects and pilot infrastructures is needed to test new production models, validate ecosystem cooperation, and adapt digital tools developed under COBIOE to specific user needs.
Additional research on the integration of digital and automation technologies in bioproduction environments could further accelerate industrial transformation.
2. Access to markets and finance
Dedicated funding mechanisms targeting SMEs and ecosystem partnerships can help address financing gaps in early-stage scale-up and infrastructure development.
Support structures for innovation transfer and public-private investment planning would complement the mapping work initiated under COBIOE.
3. Commercialisation and IPR support
Tailored support for the exploitation of research and innovation outputs—including business development, regulatory guidance, and intellectual property management—remains key to unlocking the market potential of bioproduction technologies.
4. Internationalisation
Strengthening international cooperation and benchmarking with leading global regions can support the positioning of European bioproduction and promote mutual learning.
5. Supportive regulatory and standardisation frameworks
A more harmonised and transparent regulatory environment is essential to reduce fragmentation and facilitate the scale-up of innovative biotechnologies.
COBIOE has contributed to identifying areas where clearer standards and regulatory guidance would support industrial and policy alignment across member states.
1. Further research and demonstration
Continued investment in demonstration projects and pilot infrastructures is needed to test new production models, validate ecosystem cooperation, and adapt digital tools developed under COBIOE to specific user needs.
Additional research on the integration of digital and automation technologies in bioproduction environments could further accelerate industrial transformation.
2. Access to markets and finance
Dedicated funding mechanisms targeting SMEs and ecosystem partnerships can help address financing gaps in early-stage scale-up and infrastructure development.
Support structures for innovation transfer and public-private investment planning would complement the mapping work initiated under COBIOE.
3. Commercialisation and IPR support
Tailored support for the exploitation of research and innovation outputs—including business development, regulatory guidance, and intellectual property management—remains key to unlocking the market potential of bioproduction technologies.
4. Internationalisation
Strengthening international cooperation and benchmarking with leading global regions can support the positioning of European bioproduction and promote mutual learning.
5. Supportive regulatory and standardisation frameworks
A more harmonised and transparent regulatory environment is essential to reduce fragmentation and facilitate the scale-up of innovative biotechnologies.
COBIOE has contributed to identifying areas where clearer standards and regulatory guidance would support industrial and policy alignment across member states.