BIO-RED aims to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and build the capacity of less developed regions to design, develop, and implement business cases for interregional innovation investments in the strategic sectors of red biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The project enhances institutional, innovation, and investment capacities through comprehensive actions, including mapping regional ecosystems and value chains, developing a Joint Strategic Interregional Roadmap, and implementing co-creation labs, hackathons, staff exchanges, and policy roundtables. A dedicated Biotech & Pharma Accelerator will support the development, validation, and scaling of interregional business cases, increasing investment readiness and fostering cross-border innovation.
BIO-RED directly contributes to EU Cohesion Policy by bridging innovation gaps between less developed regions (Portugal, Greece, Lithuania), in transition regions (Bulgaria), and more advanced regions (France, Sweden, Denmark). By focusing on digital innovation (AI, big data, predictive modelling) and green technologies (sustainable biomanufacturing, organoids, green chemistry), it supports the EU twin transition, promotes sustainable growth, and strengthens Europe’s leadership in biotech and pharma.
BIO-RED builds the capacity of public authorities and innovation intermediaries (clusters, companies, and research institutions) by providing tools to identify investment opportunities, aligning policy frameworks, and supporting SMEs through training, exchanges, and accelerator programmes. It empowers regional actors to transform innovation potential into concrete, interregional investment opportunities and long-term economic impact.