Experts Discuss the Importance of Biotechnology

Amgen Türkiye and Gensenta highlight biotechnology's role in disease treatment at foundation event The Biotechnology Day event, organized by the Pharmaceutical, Pharmacy, Health, Science and Technologies Foundation (İVEK) with the support of Amgen Türkiye and Gensenta, took place online on 25 November. The organization featured important presentations on the use of biotechnology in disease treatment. Speaking at the Biotechnology Day event, Güldem Berkman, General Manager of Amgen Türkiye and Gensenta, emphasized the importance of biotechnology and stated that "increasing local production in areas such as oncology and blood products in Turkey will facilitate patient access to biotechnology products."

Biotechnology Could Reduce Healthcare Expenditures

The Biotechnology Day event held on 25 November consisted of four panels and drew significant interest from sector representatives, physicians and public sector officials. At the Biotechnology Day, consensus was highlighted between the public and private sectors regarding the use and investment importance of biotechnological and biosimilar drugs in Turkey, and the importance of emerging start-ups in this field was emphasized. The event emphasized that biotechnology and biosimilar drugs offer more treatment options, can reduce healthcare expenditures and increase patients' chances of accessing effective treatments. The sessions also noted that Turkey is an important market in the global pharmaceutical sector and concluded that greater focus on clinical research and investment is needed.

The Future of the Pharmaceutical Industry is in Biotechnology

Güldem Berkman, General Manager of Amgen Türkiye and Gensenta, spoke at the event. In her remarks, Berkman noted that biotechnological drugs have revolutionized the treatment of serious diseases. Berkman stated: "The innovative approach embedded in the codes of Molecular Biology and Genetics is increasing interest in this field. From past to present, many important innovations in patient care paved the way for the first biotechnological treatments. Biotechnological drugs have revolutionized the treatment of serious diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, rare blood disorders, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and diabetes. Currently there are 200 molecules as biotechnological drugs. Biotechnological drugs will now develop further in every way, and personalized medicines will increasingly occupy a place in our lives." Noting an evolution toward biotechnological products, Berkman said: "Biotechnology is experiencing a golden age. It is exciting to specialize in human genetics in order to understand disease mechanisms. At Amgen and Gensenta, we facilitate the realization of creative projects." Berkman also emphasized that in Turkey, in fields such as oncology and blood products, complete dependence on imports applies to all biotechnological drugs. Berkman stated: "We believe that increasing local production in these areas will facilitate patient access to biotechnological products. The future of the pharmaceutical industry is in biotechnology."

Discovering and Developing Innovative Treatments Against Diseases

Dr. Bilgen Dölek, Director of Market Access, Health Policies and Corporate Relations at Amgen Türkiye and Gensenta, also made remarks at the event. Speaking about Amgen's activities, Dölek said: "Amgen is among the first companies to recognize the promising nature of molecular genetic applications. In particular, in areas such as cardiology, oncology, hematology, osteoporosis, neurology, immunology and nephrology, it discovers and develops innovative treatments against diseases that threaten human health. In the coming years, many exciting developments await us in the biotechnology field."