HUNGARY

Biosciences in Hungary
Traditions Redefined

Hungary

An OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LOCATION for bioscience companies…

… with the strongest biotech sector among the newly joined EU countries, based on its strong traditions in pharmaceuticals. Hungary is a growth center within Europe, with a supportive business infrastructure and a dynamically changing economy and market, creating numerous biotech investment opportunities.

It is worth investing in Hungary since, in the very recent years, Hungarian researchers have discovered two original molecules which are in development phase now.”

Sanofi-Aventis world-wide CEO // Jean-François Dehecq

Examples of pharmaceutical R&D investments in Hungary include:

• Sanofi-Aventis opened a €15 million development laboratory and prototype factory at its Hungarian subsidiary Chinoin in 2006. Sanofi-Aventis already has an R&D center for internal medicine in Hungary, which has been involved in 50 development projects since 1996, including initial research and clinical testing. Since 1991, the owners have invested over €500 million in the company, now employing over 2,400 people in Hungary.

• GSK inaugurated a €100 million vaccine production plant in Gödöllo in 2006. The new site is one of Europe's most advanced biotechnology plants and will manufacture two types of vaccines. The drugmaker plans output in the order of 100 million units a year to cover its entire world-wide needs, all of which will be exported to developing countries under a WHO initiative. The new vaccine plant will employ over 200 people.

• AstraZeneca founded its clinical research unit in Hungary in 1993, which developed into a Central and Eastern European regional center by now, coordinating the work of 160 well-trained experts located in seven countries of the region. AstraZeneca spends approx. €6 million on clinical research in Hungary alone, which also covers the work of 1,000-1,200 colleagues located on more than 240 clinical research sites.

• Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI) acquired ComGenex in 2006. ComGenex has been providing integrated discovery services in chemistry, chemical genomics and in target identification/lead optimization since 1992. AMRI has research centers on three continents including Europe, US and Asia.

Hungary – A WELL DEVELOPED INDUSTRY and SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

• Innovation-friendly legislation – Bayh-Dole-like “Innovation Act” since 2004
• Favorable tax environment and fiscal measures to promote innovation
• Government prepares tailor-made incentive packages for strategic investments
• A well-implemented National Biotechnology Strategy since 2005 – with strong state commitment (biotech VC fund in place, bioincubators, program for talent retention and repatriation, R&D grant system, biotech manager training etc.)
• IP and legal framework conforms to international standards
• 50 core biotech companies, 170 companies related to biotech, clustered around four academic towns (Budapest, Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged)

DID YOU KNOW? In Central Eastern Europe, Hungary has the

• Strongest pharmaceutical sector – with roots preceding WWII, supplying the majority of the communist market before 1990
• Highest # of biotech companies
• First biotech association – founded in 2003 with 10 members, and currently having more than 70 members

Hungary – an ENORMOUS TALENT POOL, world renowned CREATIVITY, SCIENCE EDUCATION and PUBLIC RESEARCH…

• … characterized by innovative, creative and flexible thinking, which demonstrate independent attitude and problem-solving owing to the country’s cultural tradition.
• Hungarian researchers are among the most prolific in the world, with strong collaborative ties to universities and companies in the EU, US and Japan
• Thousands of brilliant Hungarian scientists currently working in the US and Europe who would like to return
• Highly skilled scientists and laboratory workforce, experienced in international working environment
• Over 20,000 life science students
• 13 research institutions dedicated to biotechnology – major strengths in: Medicinal chemistry, Genomics, Molecular biology, Plant genomics
• Most universities set up TTOs

DID YOU KNOW? In Central Eastern Europe, Hungary has the

• Highest rate of participation in adult training
• Highest percentage of GDP spent on higher education
• Highest rate of labor force working in the R&D sector
• Most patents granted per capita
• Most high-technology patents per capita

DO BUSINESS WITH US! Come and visit us at Booth# 3333

For more information on biotech business opportunities in Hungary please visit:
Hungarian Investment and Trade Development Agency
www.itd.hu, biotech@itd.hu, zsigmondi@itd.hu
Contact: Panna Zsigmondi Ph.D., Head of Priority Sectors Department

For more sector information please visit:
Hungarian Biotechnology Association
www.hungarianbiotech.org, info@hungarianbiotech.org
Contact: Erno Duda, President