Window to Germany:
Over 60 % of the German science and technology budget is by industry. About 600 German companies are involved in bioresearch and biobusiness. Germany is a leader in areas such as chemistry, manufacturing, health and environmental research. Public research in over 100 universities, national and state research centers, and many Max-Planck- and Fraunhofer institutes contribute to a scientific output of 6 % of the world's scientific literature. Regional bioclusters ("BioRegions") have become a success story, as are bio-related trade fairs such as Biotechnica, Analytica, Medica or ACHEMA. more

Window to France:
France is a major investor in science and technology, with about half of this budget spent by industry. Public research is dominated by CNRS, CEA, INRA and INSA, 50 national universities and distinguished private research institutions such as the Institut Pasteur. France is a leader in areas such as health and preventive medicine, agroindustrial research, and the development of food and cosmetics. Trough public-private partnerships, many bio-clusters ("biopoles") have been successfully established. more

Window to Japan:
Japan is second only to the USA concerning investments into science and technology. Most of this is spent by industry, resulting in 1/5 of global patent applications. About 100 universities and as many public research institutions contribute to a scientific output of over 10 % of the world's scientific literature. Japan is a leader in bioindustrial research and food-related biotechnology. Long-term Research Associations are a special feature of innovative research in Japan through private-public partnership. more

Window to China:
With her strong focus on engineering, China is an emerging power in science and technology. Whereas industrial R&D is still lagging behind industrialized countries, public investment in the construction of a science and engineering base is enormous. Major players are the Chinese Academy of Science, with some 20 institutes involved in bio-related research, and some highly-ranked universities such as Peking, Tsinghua, Jiao Tong, Fudan and Tongji University. Translational bioresearch is carried out in many of these institutes, and stimulated by the government through significant competitive research investments such as the 863- or 973-program. more