Enzyme technology stands as a beacon of innovation with the potential to revolutionise industries across the globe. Recognising the transformative power of this technology, a consortium of leading European institutions has joined forces to propel the enzyme technology ecosystem forward. This initiative not only aims to bridge the gap between widening and non-widening EU countries but also to elevate Europe’s position as a global leader in biotechnology and bioeconomy.
Enzymes, the microscopic catalysts of biochemical reactions, hold the key to unlocking a multitude of applications spanning food, medicine, agriculture, energy, and more. The synthetic biology revolution has paved the way for the redesign of enzymes and metabolic pathways, offering boundless opportunities for innovation and sustainability. As the global enzymes market continues to grow, with an estimated worth of €15 billion by 2028, it has become more imperative than never for Europe to strengthen its competitiveness in this up-and-coming domain.
However, challenges are large on the horizon, particularly with the North American and Asia-Pacific enzyme markets outpacing Europe’s growth rate. To address this discrepancy and harness the full potential of enzyme technology, the consortium envisions creating a cohesive, cross-border ecosystem that leverages the strengths of both widening and non-widening EU countries to benefit from synergies and knowledge-exchange.
At the heart of this vision lies the commitment to reduce disparities whilst fostering scientific excellence, industry collaboration, and talent retention across Europe. By merging complementary expertise in biotechnology, drug discovery, and sustainable resources, the consortium aims to propel European research and innovation to new heights.
The consortium comprises partners such as Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS),representing Latvia;Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STUBA), representing Slovakia; and University of Crete (UoC), representing Greece. These institutions, each renowned for their unique contributions to the scientific community, will collaborate closely to advance enzyme technology and drive positive economic impact across Europe.
Furthermore, Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI)willbring invaluable expertise in biomolecular engineering, computationalmodelling,whilst Teamit will execute its role as a reputable research managementorganisationand contribute to the training/capacity-building,communications and regulatory areas of the project.Their contributions will ensure the seamless execution of the project’s objectives and the efficient transfer of cutting-edge research into practical applications.
Through strategic alignment with EU’s Research andInnovationandCohesionPolicy programmes, the consortium aims to maximise investments in widening countries,
strengthen competitiveness, and foster a more inclusive biotechnology ecosystem. By creating a platform for cross-disciplinary knowledge transfer and addressing regulatory and industrial hurdles, the project seeks to expedite the translation of research findings into tangible innovations.
As Europe embarks on this collaborative journey to harness the transformative power of enzyme technology, the consortium stands poised to lead the charge towards a more sustainable, innovative, and interconnected future.
For additional inquiries, please contact: Elina Erdmane, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, elina@osi.lv
About The Consortium Partners
Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS): Acts as a catalyst for scientific advancement in Latvia, specialising in medicinal chemistry and computational modelling.
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STUBA): Celebrated for its emphasis on biotechnology and sustainability,it is carving a niche in high-tech and biotech innovations in Slovakia.
University of Crete (UoC): Showcases strong research inclination, particularly in enzyme technology and organic synthesis, making it a beacon of academic excellence in Greece.
Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI): EstablishedasItaly’s premier institution for science and technology education, specialising in biomolecular engineering and computational simulations.
Teamit Research SL (Teamit): Enables impactful health science through research management and expertise in project management, communications,regulatory science and multi-stakeholder engagement.
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The WIDEnzymes project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-04 programme under grant agreement No. 101159534. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.