Today's Global Challenges require science-based answers that adhere to common standards. As part of facing large-scale societal challenges, it is necessary to look beyond borders for scientific excellence; to form new means and models of international collaboration. Such a path is a matter of course for the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI).

Access to high quality human biological samples and medical data is essential for Pharma-, Biotech- and Diagnostics industries. To improve access for industry, BBMRI is developing the concept of Expert Centres (public-private partnerships). The chief process of Expert Centres is the implementation of common quality standards and management systems as the basis for data sharing and integration. A network of expert centres that implement common quality assurance schemes will also create a new framework for international academic research collaboration that foresees analysis of biological materials under internationally standardized conditions in the country of origin thereby avoiding the problems of export of biological resources and at the same time exerting appositive stimulus on regional development and know-how generation. This process of global harmonisation will have enormous impact on many research fields as well as on innovation in biotech and the Pharma- industry as well as improved healthcare.

BBMRI Goes Global

The BBMRI project has initiated a range of global contacts (stakeholder groups, policymakers, industry leaders). The key meetings are the following:

United Arab Emirates (UAE): At the beginning of February 2012, BBMRI presented its operations to the National Research Foundation (NRF) in the UAE[1]. Both the NRF and university representatives (UAE, UAEU) present expressed a firm intent to participate in BBMRI. In addition, the NRF committed to hosting a conference symposium in biomedical science in October 2012, with focus on BBMRI.

Washington: In June 2012, BBMRI will present its project to leading international researchers and industry figures. The goal of the presentation is to raise awareness of the necessity of the interactions between three levels of coordination at the international level: scientific, regulatory and political. To optimise synergies in research activities, it will be noted that all levels must collaborate. The presentation will highlight the challenges faced by researchers all over the world, for which a common approach is the only possible solution.

African Union (AU): BBMRI was presented to AU Commissioner Jean-Pierre Ezin[2] in February 2012. A further meeting will be convened for March 2012 in Brussels.

Manila: In December 2011, BBMRI was presented to the UN Committee on Science and Technology Development (UNSTD). BBMRI will be included in the UNCSTD submission to UNESCO in May 2012.

China: BBMRI met a Chinese delegation in Brussels in November 2011. As follow up to this event, a European Parliament (EP) hearing is planned for June 2012, to be hosted by the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) committee in June 2012. The hearing will look at EU-China cooperation in biobanking: this will likely focus on the expert-centre model.