Industrial biotechnology in Europe: the importance of the continuum between research and innovation

With this in mind, INRAE, the European research infrastructure IBISBA and the Bioproductions research programme (PEPR B-BEST) organised a day of discussions at the Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie in Brussels on 4 February 2026. The event brought together researchers, industry players, representatives of civil society and European institutions around a common goal: to contribute to the development of an ambitious European vision for biotechnologies serving the agro-industry and the bioeconomy.

Discussions focused on key questions: how can laboratory results be transformed into viable, competitive and sustainable bioproductions? How can we structure a genuine continuum between research, technology and industry in the field of biotechnology?

Several key levers were identified during the discussions:

• the cross-cutting nature of biotechnology, with applications covering agri-food, bioenergy, chemistry, materials, cosmetics and health;
• the strategic role of research and technological infrastructure, which, beyond equipment, constitutes essential spaces for collaboration, standardisation, training and scientific sovereignty;
• the need for balanced public-private partnerships and long-term financing strategies;
• the importance of shared standards for data standardisation and interoperability, which are essential conditions for convergence between biotechnology and artificial intelligence;
• coherent and incentivising regulatory frameworks, which are essential for structuring markets for bio-based products.

As the next European framework programme approaches, one thing is clear: Europe's competitiveness and ecological transition depend on research that can be translated into innovation. Building a circular European bioeconomy requires collective action involving public policy, research, industry and civil society.

In this context, the B-BEST programme helps to structure the continuum between research and innovation, in close collaboration with socio-economic actors and European partners.