One of the key initiatives of the "EAPB Industrial Forum" held in March 2003 in Ingelheim, Germany, was the creation of a Special Interest Group (SIG) on "Networking" within and through the EAPB. The first meeting of SIG "Networking" was held in Stuttgart as a kick-off meeting to define the basic objectives and expectations of the companies interested in the SIG. The SIG initiated during the meeting is open for every member and interested non-member of the EAPB. The SIG members highly appreciate the active input and participation of any corporate or individual who wish to contribute or network within Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.

EXPECTATIONS, DEFINITION AND ADDED VALUE THROUGH NETWORKING

The members of the SIG acknowledge that Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is a complex and diversified area. The interests of the corporate and personal members of the EAPB must be reflected within the "network" to meet the various objectives and expectations. The SIG agrees that the "network" should primarily focus on Europe, but for the medium and longer term perspective the "Network" should be extended to other territories in the world (e.g. USA) by using already existing alliances with organizations (e.g. AAPS Biotech Section).

As the most important goals to be achieved through the network the following points are identified:
• Establish qualified contacts (contact person)
• Involve UK, Italy, France, Eastern European countries, Scandinavia
• Help to manage expectation of sponsor versus offer of technology company (molecules, technologies, services), e.g. via check list
• Gain acceptance as non-profit center for networking
• Structuring of Pharma Biotech area
• Educate on networking ("rules for contact")
• Educate companies to the existing ways of funding (e.g. FP 6, EUREKA)
• Visualize achievements in Pharma Biotech
• Linking national and European networks - if useful

SEGMENTATION OF MEMBERS WITHIN NETWORKING

The SIG recognizes that companies / EAPB members working in BioPharma come from the following dsiciplines:
• Academia
• Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) & other service provider
• Big pharma companies on global basis
• In-licensing pharmaceutical companies (product developing and marketing)
• Small and mid sized entities (SME)
• (Non)-European biotech associations
• Venture Capitalists, Business Angles
• Regulatory Authorities

The SIG Networking aims at offering benefit for all the listed disciplines.

TOOLS

Tools of "Networking" which are used by EABP and its SIG Networking are:
• Meeting & conferences
• Regular information / newsletter
• Web-portal
• Information "channeling"

More precisely the tools to achieve the first three goals (see above) are