European biotech SME award launched

Biotech industry organisation, EuropaBio, is inviting entries for the Most Innovative European Biotech SME Award 2010. This new award will acknowledge the contribution made by biotech SMEs to developing a smart, sustainable and inclusive EU economy for 2020 by providing solutions to some of society's biggest future challenges.

The winner will be announced at this year's EuropaBio Biotechnology Benefits for Innovation event on December 9 in Brussels, Belgium and presented with a prize including €10,000.

Dr Andrea Rappagliosi, chairman of EuropaBio, said: "We want to provide a showcase for the very best of the many creative, visionary and innovative European Biotech SMEs and to highlight the vital solutions that they are providing to some of our most pressing societal and environmental needs. This is our way of honouring them and of acknowledging that although they may be small in size, they are great in number and they have enormous potential for providing solutions to help us lead longer, healthier, greener lives for the future."

EuropaBio represents the interests of over 1,800 SMEs, as well as 66 corporate and seven associated members, four bioregions and 22 national biotechnology associations.

Entries close on November 8. To learn more about the award and the prize, download the application form at: http://www.europabio.org