A Very Unique Day
On June 26th, 2008, Protéus has held an exceptional event to celebrate « 10 years of innovation with proteins ». Nearly 180 persons from France, Europe and even from the US, were gathered in Nîmes for a blend of conferences, networking and partying in a splendid summer weather. The meeting which was designed to be equally informative, prospective and festive, was a genuine success.
For Protéus, the day provided an opportunity to look at the future, and to present its prospects for growth. After a statement on the progress made and the exceptional potential acquired by the company in its first 10 years, Gilles Ravot, CEO, shared the strategy of Protéus for the future, in a fertile context of unprecedented opportunities for biotechnology. He declared : « Turning to the future, Protéus is considering new ambitions. We will leverage our technologies and know-how, our unique Human capital and our production capacity to strengthen the competitiveness of our partners and meet the needs of more sustainable production pathways. We intend to address the specific needs of our clients and to accompany them further downstream in the value chain. With this strategy we want to extend from a technology provider to a major player in industrial innovation. »
The scientific program of the meeting was organised with a series of high range presentations that emphasised the diverse and ubiquitous roles of proteins in industry. Protéus had gathered top level scientists from a wide range of industrial and scientific areas to speak about the importance of proteins to their activities. Participants could hear about natural biodiversity as a useful source of new proteins; learn how appropriate IP strategies can strengthen a company’s innovation; and discover how proteins can improve biodefense and decontamination, waste water treatment, healthcare, fine chemistry and manufacturing of commodities from renewable resources.
To conclude the scientific program with a prospective vision, Protéus had invited two exceptional speakers.
Mr Alfredo Aguilar-Romanillos, head of the biotechnology unit of the research and technology directorate of the European Commission, reviewed the advances made after the Lisbon strategy launched in 2000 and the development of a knowledge-based bio-economy in Europe.
The last speaker of the day was Mr Yves Chauvin, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2005 for discovering metathesis. Mr Chauvin presented a vibrant testimony on both the importance of innovation and its challenges. In his own career, marked by major fundamental discoveries, he has invented various innovative processes that are now applied industrially at very large scales.
This tremendous day was finally concluded in a musical and festive atmosphere, in Protéus’ front gardens. Gilles Ravot addressed its warm thanks to all the people who joined the celebration or expressed their sympathy to the company, thus contributing to its success. « On behalf of all the Protéus team, I trust that we all had a memorable and fruitful day. As you know, Protéus’ activity is engaged in an industrial progress that is both powerful and irreversible. Biotechnology is profoundly transforming healthcare, energy, chemistry, and environment. For combating diseases, improving industrial performances, fighting pollution or invent new energy sources, the future will rely on biotechnology. Protéus has the immense potential to drive this revolution and to be at your side in your industrial developments. »
Contact : info@proteus.fr