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Netherlands: A European Leader

Pharmaceutical companies are investing throughout Europe, from Ireland and the United Kingdom to France, Germany and the Czech Republic. For example, Roche is expanding its research center in Penzberg, Germany, creating 300 additional positions for highly skilled research and development staff. The new research buildings are expected to be completed in 2002.

A recent report on the biotech industry from Ernst & Young says the total number of U.S. biotech companies increased by 1 percent from 1998 to 1999, while in Europe the increase was 14 percent. The number of employees rose by 9 percent in the U.S. and 17 percent in Europe during the same period.

"An increasing number of European countries are realizing the importance of this cluster,"noted Annemarie Jorritsma-Lebbink, deputy prime minister and minister for economic affairs for The Netherlands, in a March speech in Boston. "They are doing their utmost to persuade as many life sciences companies as possible to settle within their borders."

Biotechnology has been a priority of The Netherlands since the mid-1980s. In recent years, Dutch companies have begun to invest more in biotechnology, and The Netherlands has taken a leading role in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, foods, chemicals and the environment. About 350 life sciences companies are already based in The Netherlands, including Biogen, Intracel, Amgen, Abbott and Genzyme.

Added Jorritsma-Lebbink, "I want the Netherlands to become part of the European 'biotech elite'. Start-ups will receive shelter, excellent equipment and veteran advisors, and will get financial backing with start-up and investment capital. The action plan is an integrated approach providing incentives during all phases of the evolution of life sciences companies. The Netherlands has an excellent knowledge infrastructure, highly educated multilingual personnel, favorable tax climate and strategic geographical location."  SS

-- Richard Westlund is a freelance writer based in Miami, Florida.