Marine Biotechnology in Argentina

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National strategy for biotechnology

There is no formulated biotechnology strategy as such. Law 26270 was passed in July 2007 by the Congress of Argentina for the Promotion of Development and Production of Modern Biotechnology Benefits from Research Projects (http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/infolegInternet/verNorma.do?id=130522).

It created a Stimulus Fund for new ventures in biotechnology, offering incentives on biotech R&D such as accelerated depreciation on capital items, early VAT reimbursement, tax relief on listed property and fiscal credit on social security contributions and purchases of R&D services from government institutions.

National strategy for marine biotechnology

There is no national strategy for marine biotechnology

Programmes

National R&D and innovation funding programmes are generic towards business-improving developments. They include FONTAR – Argentine Technology Fund, FONCYT – the Scientific and Technology Research Fund, managed by the National Agency of Science & Technology Promotion MINCyT. MINCyT also sets out the quota of R&D tax credits. Interactions and coordination between the Argentine states are encouraged through the Federal Science and Technology Council COFECYT.

Centres of marine biotechnology research

Research priorities seem mainly focused on Bioprospecting.

INGEBI (the Research Institute for Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology), in Buenos Aires, has extensive industrial links and also collaborates with CNRS in France http://www.ingebi-conicet.gov.ar/el_ingebi.php. CONICET-CENPAT, (the Centro Nacional Patagónico) has research on marine microbes and industrial use, including bioprospecting for new medicines http://www.cenpat.edu.ar/. The Universidad Nacional de la Plata was a partner in the EU-funded project METAEXPLORE.

Infrastructures and coordination and support capacities/initiatives

More information is needed.

Disclaimer

This draft country profile is based on available online information sources and contributions from various country experts and stakeholders. It does not aim nor claim to be complete or final, but should be considered as a dynamic and living information resource that will be elaborated, updated and improved as more information becomes available, including further inputs from experts and stakeholders.