HUNGARIAN BIOTECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION JOINS EUROPABIO
EuropaBio opens up to candidate member states ahead of EU accession

Budapest, November 13, 2002 - EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, unanimously elected the Hungarian Biotechnology Association (HBA) as its newest member. The decision paves the way for integrating the HBA, which will likely be followed by other EU candidate states' industry associations into the European biotechnology industry's leading forum.

The fifteen members of the newly established Hungarian Biotechnology Association maintain strong partnerships with many EuropaBio members. EuropaBio will provide a platform for the HBA to represent the Hungarian biosciences industry via its membership and participation in the work of the Emerging Enterprises Board and the National Associations Council.

"The major objective of the HBA is to emphasize to Hungarian policymakers and advise them of the key role biotechnology can play within a knowledge based economy. Our membership in EuropaBio is a recognition of just how far Hungarian biotechnology has progressed in Europe. We are proud to have reached this position in advance of Hungary's integration within the EU." said Dr. László Ürge, board member of the Hungarian Biotechnology Association and the CEO of ComGenex.

HBA became the 21st national biotechnology association member of EuropaBio. "The fact that, with Hungary's adhesion, we are opening up to the candidate member states of the EU, has been widely acclaimed across the organization. We are excited to welcome Hungary as our newest member," - commented Hugo Schepens, Secretary General of EuropaBio.

The Hungarian Biotechnology Association has been established earlier this year to promote the development of the biotechnology industry in Hungary and to represent the common interests of the industry at large. The HBA intends to help remove roadblocks, if any, from the path of rapid development in biosciences. It will aid members' R&D, planning and fundraising activities. It aims to develop strong relationships with the Hungarian and European governments and NGOs in order to further the progress of biotechnology in Hungary. The founding members of the HBA are: Biorex Rt., Biostatin Kft., ChemAxon Kft., ComDrug Kft., ComGenex Rt., DRC Kft., GenoID Kft., InFarmatik Bt., MegaPharma Kft., N-Gene Kft., Solvo Rt., Tomtec Kft., TRC Kft., TRIO-LAB Kft., Vichem Kft.

EuropaBio has almost 40 corporate members operating worldwide and 21 national biotechnology associations representing some 1200 SMEs involved in research and development, testing, manufacturing and distribution of biotechnology products. EuropaBio, the voice of European bioindustries, aims to be a promoting force for biotechnology and to present its proposals to industry, politicians, regulators, NGOs, and the public at large.

For further information, contact

Ernõ Duda
Chairman, HBA
Tel.: +36-1-279-2420
e-mail: duda@solvo.hu
website: http://www.hungarianbiotech.org