Current state and prospects of biotechnology in Central and Eastern European countries. Part I: Visegrad countries (CZ, H, PL, SK)

Markus Dettenhoffer, Miroslav Ondrejovic, Viktoria Vasary, Pawel Kaszycki, Tomasz Twardowski, Stanislav Stuchlik, Jan Turna, Munis Dundar, Kevan M. Gartland, Stanislav Miertus

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Innovation is a key determinant of sustainable growth. Biotechnology (BT) is one such industry that has witnessed a revolution in innovative ideas leading to the founding of many new companies based on providing products, solutions and services, stretching from the food industry to environmental remediation, and new medicines. BT holds much promise for the development of national and local economies, however, this requires a strategic approach involving actors withingovernment, industry, and academia working in concert to maximize this potential. This first article reviews the current “state of play” in the field of BT within the Central Eastern European (CEE) countries. For the purposes of this article, CEE refers to the countries of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia (the so-called Visegrad – V4 countries). We examine the componentsthat support the creation and development of a BT sector in CEE and also highlight the barriers to these objectives. Clearly setting priorities for the countries’ policy agenda, as well as the alignment of Smart Specialization Strategy will help to focus efforts. Recent investments in R&D infrastructure within CEE have been substantial, but conditions will need to be optimized toharness these largely European investments for effective use towards SME high-tech development.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)114-136
Number of pages23
JournalCritical Reviews in Biotechnology
Volume39
Issue number1
Early online date29 Oct 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2019

Keywords

  • biotechnology (BT)
  • Central Eastern Europe (CEE)
  • Visegrad countries (V4)
  • smart specialization strategy (RIS3)
  • higher education
  • public financing science
  • venture capital

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology

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