PAMPLONA, Spain, September 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The figures regarding BioSpain 2010 have beaten all previous records, to the extent that it has become the most important event in biotechnology in southern Europe. Investment in Biotechnology and in RD+i is crucial in order to prevent our best researchers from moving abroad, warned Jose Maria Fernandez Sousa, president of ASEBIO (Spanish Association.of Biocompanies), during the press conference held to present BioSpain 2010. Navarre is greatly encouraging these two aspects and proof of this is the enormous interest it has shown in the organisation of this event. In addition, this autonomous government is creating a fund of 500 million euros to invest in this field which has a very promising future.

The most prominent feature of BioSpain 2010 is that of its internationalisation, so necessary for these kinds of companies. In this edition there are a total of 160 companies in 132 stands. Likewise, it is expected that there will be over 2,000 business meetings between approximately 600 companies and organisations, of which 150 are from outside Spain. Brussels is aware of the importance of biotechnology for Europe's future, which is why it has announced a bioeconomy strategy that has yet to be defined by the European Union, explained Fernandez Sousa. In this context, it is estimated that the biotechnology sector will represent 2.7% of GDP in OECD countries, which is why ASEBIO considers that it would be good for Spain to implement the same strategy.

At the Investor's Forum 30 biotechnology projects have been selected, which will be explained during the congress. The president of ASEBIO recommended that our companies make themselves known internationally in order to attract funding from outside Spain. To achieve this, it is essential that Spanish biotechnology companies participate in the most important international fairs.

Tumour stem cells

The first plenary conference was given by Carlos Cordon-Cardo, from the University of Columbia, who spoke about tumour stem cells. If we do not understand the origin of cancer, we will not be able to understand its final chapters, he said. According to the lecture, the most effective strategy is that of identifying these cells in tumours and metastases to then attack them, he explained. In this regard, the identification of these stem cells could have important clinical applications concerning the prognosis of the disease.

Lucia Cecilia Mercado lcecilia@asebio.com tel: +34-91-210-93-74

SOURCE: Asebio

CONTACT: Lucia Cecilia Mercado, lcecilia@asebio.com, tel: +34-91-210-93-74