Ankara Biotechnology Day Discusses Opportunities Offered by Biotechnology

Amgen-sponsored "Ankara Biotechnology Day" organised by the Izmir Biotype and Genome Center (İBG) brought together expert scientists, individuals and institutions. Expert scientists, individuals and institutions gathered at the Ankara Biotechnology Day held on 25 September at the Ankara Sheraton, sponsored by Amgen and organised by the Izmir Biotype and Genome Center (İBG). At the Ankara Biotechnology Day, opportunities offered by biotechnology were discussed under the headings "Sustainable Biotechnology Ecosystem", "Innovative R&D Approaches", "Biotechnological/Biosimilar Treatments", "Global Applications and Quality in Biosimilars", "Practical Applications in Rheumatology", "Practical Applications in Oncology" and "Supporting Science-Driven Biotechnology". Güldem Berkman, General Director of Amgen and Mustafa Nevzat, emphasized that there is currently a significant shift from chemically-based drugs to biotechnology products, and stated that as one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, since 1980 they have discovered and developed treatments for people in more than 100 countries including Turkey, and put them in the service of medicine. Berkman said: "By utilizing the opportunities offered by science and biotechnology at the highest level, we establish connections between DNA and disease using genetic information obtained from our research and advanced analytical tools. We carry out processes of discovering, developing and putting into the service of medicine many biotechnology products that make a difference to existing treatments in the fields of oncology, hematology, nephrology, rheumatology and cardiology. We work determinedly to unlock the potential of biology for people fighting serious diseases by discovering, developing, manufacturing and providing innovative medicines." Soner Gündemir, Deputy Director of İBG and Director of İBG-FARMA, noting that treatments to be developed over the next 25 years will be much more effective compared to those currently in use, continued: "These groundbreaking new generation treatments will not only fundamentally change human life, but will also help enrich and increase the prosperity of the societies that develop them. It is very important in this respect that Turkey is not only a consumer of these new technologies, but also a developer and producer of them. Founded with this mission, despite being only 5 years old, İBG has launched numerous activities simultaneously to acquaint Turkey with 21st century medicine and is moving forward with confident steps on its path."