What is biotechnology?
According to the Convenio sobre Diversidad Biológica (Biology Diversity Congress) of 1992, biotechnology can be defined as “all technological applications that use biological systems and living organisms or their derivatives for the creation or modification of products or services useful for mankind”.
What fields of application does biotechnology have?
Mainly in therapeutic applications (pharmaceutical products, antibiotics, vaccines, genetic therapies) and diagnostic techniques for health, agriculture, livestock farming, as well as in the food industry and the environment.
Why invest in biotechnology?
Above all because Spain has an excellent level of scientific expertise. Spain produces 4% of the world total of scientific publications in this field. However only 0.16% of European biotechnology patents are Spanish, making Spain the eleventh country in European patents, and we do not have even one biodrug on the market. This just goes to show that, despite our scientific excellence, this is not being used to generate wealth.
What experience and skills does CRB contribute?
CRB has a unique characteristic that sets it apart, which is the important breakthrough at a critical point, whereby a strict protocol allows it to manage and foster the relationships between innovative scientists and potential financiers. These relationships are normally compromised by an asymmetry of information, because the investors find it very difficult to evaluate, with some degree of guarantee and at reasonable cost, the chances a project has of success. The protocol, using the skills of the CRB:
1. Improves the process of technology transfer
2. Manages and ensures the commitment of the scientists
3. Manages the biotechnology companies
4. Finances the first stages
5. Guarantees the protection of the intellectual property
What competitive advantage does CRB offer?
Access to scientific sources and ability to communicate and work with scientific teams, a competitive advantage most particularly in the screening and spinoff stages. It also offers extensive operative experience as a "fund" than other managers, with a portfolio that is more developed, diversified, and balanced. As well as this, it involves the management of the participating companies, creating synergies between them that have great operative flexibility.