From Policy to Practice Actionable Recommendations for a Commercial Bioeconomy 2025

Before scaling comes R&D: how governments around the world are increasing investments in government-funded research infrastructure BOX 6 Recently, governments are increasingly developing partnerships to build key infrastructure. For example, in Taiwan, China, the government has teamed up with National Resilience to form Taiwan Bio-Manufacturing Corporation (TBMC). Following a model similar to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which was founded with government support and is now the world’s largest chipmaker, TBMC will use the country’s expertise in smart manufacturing and digital tech to produce cutting-edge biomanufacturing solutions for complex medicines like biologics, vaccines and gene therapies.54 Globally, infrastructure will continue to serve as the backbone of a thriving, resilient bioeconomy, the establishment of which requires significant financial support from governments and beyond. Summarizing framework recommendations on blended and right-sized financing What we’re striving for: a future where transformative bio-innovations rapidly move from bench to market, powered by creative and blended capital that matches the pace, risk and capital needs of scaling breakthrough bioscience. Currently, too many promising bio-innovations fail to successfully navigate the “valley of death”, the gap between lab success and commercial viability. To address this, governments must intervene earlier, committing larger investments at initial stages to balance risk and attract private capital. These investments must be flexible and appropriately sized, considering the lengthy and unpredictable development timelines and substantial capital demands of bio-innovation.In addition to funding individual companies, increased public investment in scaling infrastructure, such as pilot facilities and biomanufacturing hubs, is urgently needed. Proactive collaboration between governments, corporations and VCs will align risk tolerance and further enable scaling of disruptive bio-innovation. Ultimately, bridging the commercialization gap requires innovative capital models that combine public and private funding sources and are tailored to the unique needs of bio- innovation. Financing is not just a support tool; it is the strategic lever that will unlock the full potential of the technology-driven bioeconomy.The Serbian government is set to break ground on the BIO4 Campus later in 2025. An ambitious biotechnology and biomedical research hub currently under development in Belgrade, Serbia, the BIO4 Campus will span approximately 30 hectares. It is set to become one of Europe’s leading centres for life sciences, with a projected investment of €450 million – the largest science- related investment in Serbia’s history.51 In Saudi Arabia, the Research Development Innovation Authority has implemented a national policy to enhance access to government- funded research infrastructure, including national laboratories. The policy promotes open access to government-funded research infrastructure, allowing external users (local and international) to conduct research, development and innovation activities.52 In the Eastern Hemisphere, the Kenya Biovax Institute has been established to support local vaccine production and bio-innovation.53 Positioned as a regional centre for life sciences manufacturing, the institute is part of Kenya’s broader strategy to build health sovereignty, drive biotech R&D, and reduce dependence on imported vaccines and biopharmaceuticals. 25 From Policy to Practice: Actionable Recommendations for a Commercial Bioeconomy