The key facts about the biomanufacturing sector

👉 The European Parliament’s Plan to Strengthen Bioproduction

In a report adopted by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) emphasize the crucial role of biotech and bioproduction in fostering innovation and economic growth in Europe. They call on the European Commission to establish a new policy framework by streamlining and harmonizing regulations. A simplified procedure is proposed for products already approved by trusted regulatory authorities. The report also calls for a revision of investment criteria for public bodies, specifically targeting the European Investment Bank's sustainability standards, which could limit funding access for biotech projects. Finally, MEPs advocate for a unified framework on intellectual property and the implementation of flexible regulatory sandboxes to test emerging biotech applications.

👉 Patent Shaker Challenge for Future Biotech Entrepreneurs

Biotechnology students from the Universities of Nîmes and Montpellier took part in the Patent Shaker program—a five-day challenge aimed at transforming Inserm patents into startup projects, as reported by Midi Libre. "The goal is to complement these young people's scientific knowledge with entrepreneurial skills, enabling them to launch their own health and biotech projects in the future," explains Pierre Alzingre, the program’s coordinator. For instance, Yanis Lacassagne and Julie Castanier worked on a predictive method to optimize immunotherapy for lung cancer, enhanced with artificial intelligence. “We’re working to expand this method to three other types of cancer. We need to innovate, revise several aspects of the patent, and enrich it with new ideas,” said the two students, who are currently enrolled in a Master’s program in Project Management and Innovation in Biotechnology in Montpellier.

👉 Researchers Achieve In Vivo Generation of CAR-T Cells

A study published in Science paves the way for the in vivo production of CAR-T cells—genetically engineered T cells used to fight cancer or autoimmune diseases. The technique relies on antibodies that target specific receptors (CD5 or CD8) to precisely deliver mRNA encoding the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Tested in rodents and cynomolgus monkeys, the method enabled in vivo production of CAR-T cells capable of destroying normal B cells expressing CD19, with acceptable safety levels. “In the fast-evolving field of cell therapies, producing CAR-T cells ‘inside the patient’ is among the most recent innovations,” commented Michel Sadelain, a pioneer in the field at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. “We can now dream of genetically reprogramming immune responses while avoiding costly laboratory manipulations.”