During a roundtable on the challenges and opportunities of synthetic biology in the foodtech sector, Mar\u00eda Eugenia Lecumberri, Investment Director at Sodena, emphasised that \u201cNavarrese companies must be prepared for the exponential growth of this market, developing capabilities and seizing the opportunities it offers.\u201d In this respect, she highlighted the role of Sodena, the public company of the Government of Navarre, as a facilitator and financier, as well as the need to promote public-private collaboration.<\/p>\n
The discussion focused on the strategic pillars of the Navarre Synthetic Biology Business Plan (BioSintNA), ranging from talent development and improving public perception to technological standardisation and industrial scalability. This encompasses more than 60 actions across six areas of activity, currently in the validation phase, with the objective of positioning Navarre among the leading regions in this technology.<\/p>\n
In this regard, BioSintNA was presented last March at a business meeting attended by institutional representatives from the Government of Navarre and featuring experiences from Navarrese companies and entities already working in the field of synthetic biology, among other presentations.<\/p>\n
In addition to Lecumberri, the Food4Future roundtable included representatives from Navarrese organisations and companies such as Genbioma, MOA Foodtech, NAGRIFOOD, and Nasertic, demonstrating the growing involvement of the region\u2019s business fabric in this new technological revolution.<\/p>\n
NAVARRE\u2019S PRESENCE AT FOOD4FUTURE<\/strong><\/p>\n Sodena, and specifically its Managing Director I\u00f1aki Larraya, was also present at Food4Future alongside companies from its current and former portfolio and other Navarrese agri-food sector companies, some of which are already working in synthetic biology, with whom he had the opportunity to exchange views.<\/p>\n All these companies attended the event to present their latest R&D proposals for the food industry. These included MOA Foodtech, Genbioma, Yenxa, Cocuus, Nucaps, Grupo APEX, Allbiotech, Bioinsectis, Bread Free, Ingredalia, Lev2050, and Urtech Water, many of which participated as exhibiting companies, several with support from the public company CEIN. The aforementioned cluster NAGRIFOOD and the leading technology centre in food technology and safety, CNTA, were also present at this edition.<\/p>\n There was also an opportunity to organise a meeting of these companies which, besides the participation of I\u00f1aki Larraya, included the presence of Councillor Irujo, who previously gave a presentation focused on the development of the agri-food industry with a special emphasis on biotechnology. Both Sodena representatives reinforced the message of institutional support and alignment with the smart specialisation strategy.<\/p>\n With initiatives such as BioSintNA, Navarre not only seeks to consolidate itself as an innovative territory but also to attract strategic investments that drive the transformation of its food industry towards a more sustainable, digital, and competitive model.<\/p>\n