Conclusions of BioVision 2005

At the fourth world life sciences forum called BioVision, held in Lyon (France) in April 2005, Philippe Douste-Blazy, French minister of health, observed that "One of the main challenges facing the world is to focus major efforts on the triangle of biotechnology, nanotechnology, and information technology.”

The four-day meeting was a worldwide forum for scientists, patients' organizations, nongovernmental organizations, governments, and the healthcare industry to work together to allow science to meet society and help it progress, according to Minister Douste-Blazy. He announced he will propose that the government select and support one to three specialized biotechnology centers, noting that the market share for new biomedicines, which now represent 7% of the market but 40% of new treatments, will double by 2007.

Minister Douste-Blazy also announced he will propose tax credits to encourage research and provide greater incentives. "In the coming days I will propose setting up a unit for the production of batches of medicines to be used in clinical trials. In addition, we will ask the regulatory agency to make a commitment to reduce the authorization timelines for clinical trials, so they can begin rapidly.”

Jean-Francois Dehecq, chairman and CEO of Sanofi-aventis (Paris, France; www.sanofi-aventis.com), announced a program to improve access to medicines in southern countries of the world. "We've identified five therapeutic areas in which we need medicines: malaria, leishmaniosis, sleeping sickness, tuberculosis, and epilepsy.” He said the production of existing medicines in these five areas will be increased and different systems will be set up so they can be sold at reduced prices or donated to developing countries.

In their conclusions, the chairpersons of the sessions devoted to "Health for All” called for action to ensure that all countries will have access to "old” vaccines, thanks to multiple partnerships between local governments, global initiatives such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and vaccine manufacturers. They noted that advance purchasing commitments, special loans, and a policy of differential pricing by country will make it possible to reduce development costs and ensure access to new vaccines in southern countries. Lowered regulatory barriers, public investments, and increased public awareness will make it possible to obtain the scientific advances that are essential for the development of new vaccines to fight tuberculosis, malaria, and AIDS.

Discussions on agriculture and nutrition led to the following recommendations: significantly increase funding for public research; rely on the capacities of nongovernmental organizations to resolve environment issues; establish market incentives to encourage investments in the crops used by poor farmers; give preference to a multi-faceted approach to risk management; and invest in infrastructure, health and education, especially for girls.

The recommendations following the "Bioindustry and the Environment” sessions were to pursue investment in basic research; increase private and public investment for the development of new products; establish policies for industry to explore all possibilities;
provide political support; strike a balance between precautionary principles and the benefits of new technologies; and encourage public debate among all citizens.

BioVision 2006 will be held in Alexandria (Egypt) April 26-29 in 2006.