The role of Marine Biotechnology in the Bioeconomy

OECD GLOBAL FORUM ON MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY: ENABLINGOECD GLOBAL FORUM ON MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY: ENABLING SOLUTIONS FOR OCEAN PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY

3030‐‐31 May 2012, Vancouver Canada31 May 2012, Vancouver Canada3030 31 May 2012, Vancouver Canada31 May 2012, Vancouver Canada

Jan‐Bart Calewaert European Marine Board‐ESFE‐mail: jbcalewaert@esf.org

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Marine Board-ESF?

MissionMissionThe Marine Board provides a pan‐European platform for itsThe Marine Board provides a pan European platform for itsmember organisations to develop common priorities, toadvance marine research, and to bridge the gap betweenscience and policy in order to meet future marine sciencechallenges and opportunities.

How to reach our objectives?j

Some new & ongoing activities 2012g g

W ki G• Working Groups: – Marine Microbial Diversity 

• Presented at the EMD on 22 May 2012 & available from www.marineboard.eu from 15/06/2012

– Oceans and Human HealthOceans and Human Health– Valuation of Marine Ecosystem Goods and Services

S i P li B i fi M i Bi di it• Science Policy Briefing on Marine Biodiversity

• Navigating the Future IV (Publication late 2012)Navigating the Future IV (Publication late 2012)– key challenges and opportunities for marine science in next decadedecade 

Outline

I. Developing the bioeconomy

II Marine biotech contributions to the bioeconomyII. Marine biotech contributions to the bioeconomy

III. Major marine biotech science policy developments inIII. Major marine biotech science policy developments in 

Europe

IV. Key messages

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I. Developing the bioeconomy

The bio-based economy concepty p

EC Strategy: A Bioeconomy for Europe:EC Strategy: A Bioeconomy for Europe:• Bioeconomy encompasses the sustainable production of 

renewable biological resources and their conversion into foodrenewable biological resources and their conversion into food, feed, bio‐based products and bioenergy. 

• Includes agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food and pulp and paper g , y, , p p p pproduction, as well as parts of chemical, biotechnological and energy industries. 

• Strong innovation potential due to their use of a wide range of sciences, enabling and industrial technologies, and local and tacit k l dknowledge.

• Key to achieve smart and green growth, and contribute to address critical societal challenges of our timeaddress critical societal challenges of our time 

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Biotech in the bioeconomyy

Bi t h i d k i f d l iBiotech recognised as a key engine for developingthe bio‐economy

• OECD The Bioeconomy to 2030• European Strategy: Innovating for sustainable• European Strategy: Innovating for sustainablegrowth: A bioeconomy for Europe

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Benefits delivered by marine ecosystem servicesservices

O d li h t f f d• Oceans deliver huge amount of food products, are increasingly providing sustainable sources of energy

• Oceans are responsible for regulating the• Oceans are responsible for regulating the climate system and buffer large amounts of carbon dioxide released by man 

• Maritime activities are of growing• Maritime activities are of growing importance to secure our economic 

d i f j brecovery and creation of jobs

Negative Human impactsg p

Science 15 Feb 2008 Halpern et al

Research presented by Halpern et al in Science in Feb 2008

II. Marine biotech contributions to the bioeconomy and grand societalbioeconomy and grand societalchallenges

Marine biotechnology contributionsgy

Address the grand challenges of the 21st century

•the protection and management of the marine environment

•securing human health and well-being

•sustainable alternative sources of energy

•sustainable supply of high quality and healthy food

•industrial products and processesp p

Realize

A thriving global bioeconomy OECD Bioeconomy to 2030•A thriving global bioeconomy - OECD Bioeconomy to 2030

•The EU bioeconomy StrategyF lfill h E 2020 S•Fulfill the Europe 2020 Strategy

Rationale for exploring the marine environment for biotechnology appsenvironment for biotechnology apps

• Life in the oceans is ancient over 3 5 billion years oldLife in the oceans is ancient, over 3.5 billion years old 

• Diversity of life in the oceans is high (but still largely y g ( g yunknown)

• Adaptations to marine environmental conditions are• Adaptations to marine environmental conditions are diverse and often unique  high chemical diversity and biomaterials, bioactives with unique proporties

• Genetic basis for adaptations is now increasingly understoodunderstood

• New tools for exploring the marine environment existNew tools for exploring the marine environment exist (from metagenomics to sattelite observation)

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Yondelis® (trabectedin)

colonial tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinataEcteinascidia turbinata

Contributions from Adrianna Ianora (SZN) and Fernando de la Calle (Pharmamar)

-as nutritional supplements including color additivesas nutritional supplements including color additives and antioxidants

-vitamins, oils, and cofactors which enhance general well-being

-The carotenoid market alone was projected to reach77 000 million Euro by 201077,000 million Euro by 2010

Dunaliella salina

Marine aquaculture is one of the fastest growing q g gsectors in “agriculture” -areas closed to commercial fishingareas closed to commercial fishing -increased demand to supply food and high quality wholesome products

In 2007 the EU 27 p od ction of aq ac lt e inc eased to nea l 1 306In 2007 the EU-27 production of aquaculture increased to nearly 1 306 thousand tonnes (+ 6.3 %) with Iceland and Norway increasing their aquaculture production by 56 %

1. Bioremediation after major oil spills 2. Monitoring toxic blooms3. Restoration of certain habitats4. Identifying the country of origin of

endangered species (forensic biotech)g p ( )

Mike Morkaviina

1. Microalgae (e.g. Chlorella) are bl d th i d t threnewable and there is no damage to the

environment. Unfortunately, biomass is not economically competitive with current sources of energy.

2. Biomass can be converted by bacteria yand microalgae to fuels such as methane and biodiesel

3. Biotechnology may make biomass more viable by enhancing photosynthesis to produce more of a fuel or modifyingto produce more of a fuel, or modifying biomass to favor fuel production.

Microphyt

1. Proteins and enzymes (notably extremophiles)- Large range of applications: white biotech, feed, energy,

environment, etc.- Need for improved high throughput direct

screening from crude sampleg p2. Biopolymers (EPS, PHA, etc.)

- Large range of applications: cosmetics,health, bioremediation, etc.health, bioremediation, etc.

3. Biomaterials- Novel field of research

Ifremer

III. Major marine biotech science jpolicy developments in Europe

Key Science Policy docs/eventsy y /

• 2001Marine Board‐ESF Position Paper• 2001 Marine Board‐ESF Position Paper

• 2002 US NAS Report Marine Biotech in the 21st Century

• 2006 EC background paper no. 10 on Marine Biotechnology

• 2007 “The Bremen meeting”. MB experts meet, hosted by German presidency

• 2008 “Blue Book”. EC‐US task force on Biotech (marine genomics), Monaco

• 2008 EC launched “European Strategy for Marine and Maritime h”Research”

• 2009 CWG‐MB advocates integrated Marine Biotech R&D in Europe

• 2010 Updated Position Paper from ESF’s Marine Board

Marine Biotechnology WorkingGroup 2009 2010 ObjectivesGroup 2009-2010 - Objectives

provide a strategic assessment of the current scientific understanding of marine biotechnology relevant to European and member states policiesmember states policies

identify the priorities for further research needed in this field

formulate recommendations for future policies

Chaired by: Joel Querellou (Ifremer)

11 t f i di i li T B (Dk) C th i B11 experts from various disciplines: Torger Børresen (Dk), Catherine Boyen (Fr), Alan Dobson (Ir), Manfred Höfle (G), Adrianna Ianora (It) Marcel Jaspars (UK), Anake Kijjoa (Pt), Jan Olafsen (N), Joel Querellou (Fr), George Rigos (Gr), René Wijffels (Nl)(Gr), René Wijffels (Nl)

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INTERMEZZO Hydrothermal vent fauna –ya marvel!

Farming Bacteria for Foodg

This species of yeti crab “farms” colonies of bacteria on its clawsbacteria on its claws.

To help them grow, itTo help them grow, it waves its pincers over methane and sulfide vents, fertilizing the bacteria and making them good enough tothem good enough to eat.

Mark Brown, Wired UK

Thurber AR et al. 2011 PLoS one | November 2011 |Volume 6 | Issue 11 | e262431

Challenges – MB PP15g

• Access to resources (especially) very deep specimens

• Increasing our understanding of physiology of marine species• Increasing our understanding of physiology of marine species

• Culturing marine microorganisms

• Sustainable aquaculture of algae, fish, and shellfish for food, fuels 

d hi h l d t dand high value products and processes

• New policies for the protection of marine genetic resources

• Address legal and policy barriers in the biodiscovery pipeline (ABS, IP, ...) 

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Recommendations – MB PP15

I Create a strong identity and communication strategy to raiseI. Create a strong identity and communication strategy to raise the profile and awareness of European marine biotechnology research

II. Stimulate the development of research strategies and programmes for Marine Biotechnology research and align these at the national, regional and pan‐European level.

III. Improve technology transfer pathways, strengthen the basis for proactive interaction between academic research and industry 

IV. Improve training and education to support marine bi h l i E id b h h d i dbiotechnology in Europe to provide both research and industry with skilled people 

Strategy – how to achieve the goals?gy g

• Improve coordination of European Marine• Improve coordination of European Marine Biotechnology RTDI to strengthen integration

fil i bi h l l d i i• Profile marine biotechnology landscape in Europe in international context

• Create a central European portal   www.marinebiotech.eu

• Improve policies in property rights and IP• Develop collaborative industry‐academia researchDevelop collaborative industry academia research programmes

+ SEE ALL RECOMMENDED ACTIONS – download the position paper at+ SEE ALL RECOMMENDED ACTIONS download the position paper at www.marineboard.eu

A ERA NET P t A ti i M i Bi t h lAn ERA-NET Preparatory Action in Marine BiotechnologyCoordinator Steinar Bergseth

Belgium

Denma kDenmark

France

Germany y

Italy

Norway

Portugal

Turkey

UKUK

Mapping componentsMapping components

I t f E M i Bi t h l• Inventory of EuropeanMarine Biotechnology RTDI Strategies, Programmes and Initiatives

k d dTask Leader: Marine Board‐ESF

• A Global Perspective: High‐level analysis of key trends and developments in global marine biotechnology RTDIgyTask Leader: BioBridge

• Analysis of the European Marine BiotechnologyAnalysis of the European Marine Biotechnology RTDI Landscape and scoping future cooperationTask Leader: Marine Board‐ESF

EXAMPLE

Examples of national strategic documents with an identifyable focus on marine biotechan identifyable focus on marine biotech

• Ireland 2007 : http://www.marine.ie/home/SeaChange.htm

“S Ch A M i K l d R h & I i S– “Sea Change ‐ A Marine Knowledge, Research & Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007‐2013”Marine Biotechnology, Marine Technology, Marine Functional Food and Renewable Ocean Energyand Renewable Ocean Energy 

• Norway 2009– ”A strategy for Marine Bioprospecting – a source of new and viable 

wealth creation” Encourage use of marine resources, biobanks, international collaboration innovation develop value chaincollaboration, innovation – develop value chain

• Denmark 2010– ”The Ocean – a underutilised resource”

Better use of marine biomass, healthy diet, bioprospecting for new biological principles and compounds, biofilms

Sea www.marinebiotech.eu for regular updates, strategic documents and analysis reports

Regional interest - examplesg p

• Mediterranean CIESM• Mediterranean ‐ CIESM– 22‐state organisation ‐ non‐European members include 

Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, [Algeria]– ‘unite in protecting the economic interests of the Mediterranean against 

the risk of massive exploitation of their marine genetic resources by foreign companies’foreign companies

– Blue Biotech meeting La Spezia 12 April 2011– ‘Blog’ forum on Blue Biotech at 

http://www.ciesmseaforum.org/category/blue‐biotech/

• Baltic Seal f l h b h– Development of a macro‐regional strategy with strong marine biotech 

component – BONUS /  SUBMARINER ... – Aims to position itself as a model region for marine biotech strategicp g g

coordination and support

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Global outlook

• No obvious National Strategies for Marine• No obvious National Strategies for Marine BiotechnologyA f ifi ti l i Mbi t h• A few specific national programmes in Mbiotech or industrial applications

• Globally, algal bioenergy support stands out, mainly due to very strong US focus on R&D and investment

• Marine bioactives and molecular aquaculture also important

• Economic development support does exist (equivalent to ERDF and regional or national programmes in EU) – combinations of direct grant, loan, loan guarantee, matched‐funding, tax‐benefitsg g

Report should be available by summer 2012 at www.marinebiotech.eu

VI. Conclusions

Conclusions (1) - Notable progress( ) p g

• European coordination efforts ongoing CSA ERA NET marine• European coordination efforts ongoing CSA, ERA‐NET, marine biotech portal, euromarine, JPI Oceans

• Key research priorities are being addressed• Key research priorities are being addressed– Cultivation challenges, e.g. microorganisms– Legal and policy barriers

Bi di h ll– Biodiscovery challenges

• Infrastructures are being developed or improved– Research fleets– Marine model organisms– Bio‐informatics infrastructures and omics platforms

• International recognition and driving forces (e g OECD initiative)• International recognition and driving forces (e.g. OECD initiative)• Identity and visibility has greatly improved

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Conclusions (2) –Many challenges remainMany challenges remain

Ali i th i i t t t t i d t• Aligning the various interests, strategies and programmes at various levels

• Positioning of bluebiotech in the complicated and dynamic• Positioning of bluebiotech in the complicated and dynamiclandscape (projects, infrastructures, JPI Oceans, other ERA‐NETs, etc.))

• Techtransfer and industry/academic collaborative approaches –developing markets and businesses

• Education and training remains a great challenge• Protection of the marine environment and MGR

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Conclusions (3) –Key recommendationsKey recommendations

• Improve understanding of marine biotech landscape and• Improve understanding of marine biotech landscape and ways to stimulate development from basic science to commercial applicationscommercial applications– Increase efforts to profile the landscape– Develop better mapping approaches and indicators– Continuously efforts to identify barriers and enablers to progress 

• Stimulate development of strategies and programmes at various levels and align them with broader bioeconomy goals

• Secure development in a sustainable way, protecting the marine environment and marine genetic resources – Partcicular attention to deep sea resources– Develop new tools and regulations were appropriate

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Acknowledgementsg

This presentation is based on the work of the MarineThis presentation is based on the work of the Marine Board‐ESF Working Group on Marine Bi h l CSA MARINEBIOTECH dBiotechnology, CSA MARINEBIOTECH and contributions from Antje Labes, Kathleen D’Hondt, Teodoro Ramirez, Willem Demoor, Imke Schneemann, Adrianna Ianora, Joel Querellou, Rocardo Santos, Meredith Lloyd‐Evans, Steinar Bergseth, Torger Børresen, Catherine Boyen, Carlo g g yHeip, Daniel Pardo, Cristina Leandro, Ed Hill and many moremany more

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Thank you for your attention!y y

Italy 

Belgium

Croatia Netherlands

Cyprus

Denmark

Norway

Poland

Estonia

Finland

Portugal

Romania

France

Romania 

SpainMarine

Universities of France

Germany

Greece

Sweden

Turkey

France

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IrelandUnited Kingdom