There are ongoing human genome projects in each of the trade mission stops. This research necessitates acquisition of Next Generation Sequencing instruments, related test kits, bioinformatics systems, and more. Based on the results of this genomic research, needs will arise for more screening of prevalent genetic disorders and personalized therapeutic technologies.
Cancer treatment is a significant burden on the national budgets of Greece, Türkiye, and Italy. To address this challenge, screening is increasing for genetically related causes. In addition, there are national plans to conduct screening at birth due to high incidence of rare diseases in these countries.
This trade mission is an opportunity to showcase cutting-edge innovations and technologies from the United States via facilitation of business partnerships and collaborations. Participating companies will gain valuable knowledge about navigating the European regulatory landscape and market dynamics.
Greece
In 2023, the Greek medical device and pharmaceutical markets were $985 million and $8.7 billion, respectively. The Greek pharmaceutical market is the fourth largest in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of sales in U.S. dollars.
Greece has played a pioneering role in the field of hemoglobinopathies in terms of diagnosis, clinical management, therapeutic trials, pre-natal diagnosis, and research of illnesses. The National Thalassemia Prevention Program has effectively decreased the incidence of thalassemia, the most frequent genetic disorder in the country, and major and sickle cell syndromes.
Greece is participating in the major European initiative, “1 Million Genomes (1+MG)”. This European Genomic Data Infrastructure (GDI) project aims to unlock a data network of over one million genome sequences for research and clinical reference. It will create unprecedented opportunities for transnational and multi-stakeholder actions in personalized medicine for cancer, common, rare and infectious diseases as well as access to a reference genome collection representing the European population (Genome of Europe).
Areas of opportunities include:
- Human genomic data-related projects
- Infectious diseases and cancer-related projects
- Personalized medicine related projects
Türkiye
Türkiye has an advanced healthcare system with a wide range of genetic technologies utilized to diagnose and treat illnesses among its population of 85 million. An estimated 6-7 million people live with a rare disease. There are 99 genetic labs in the country offering cytogenetic and molecular tests to diagnose cancer, rare illnesses, and pre-natal genetic disorders with a reimbursement system in place for most testing.
Since 2019, the Turkish National Genome Center has been operating the “National Human Genome and Bioinformatics Project” with the goal of sequencing 100,000 genomes to identify variants in the Turkish population. Additionally, the center awards funds to select projects originating from eleven biotechnology research institutes and approximately 500 biotechnology start-ups in the country.
Türkiye aspires to advance both the development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. The Türkiye Biotechnology Platform is composed of twenty Turkish pharmaceutical companies that have invested $1.1 Billion into research and development for drug discovery and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals within their facilities.
Italy
The Italian life sciences market is very advanced and sophisticated. Receptive of highly innovative and advanced technologies, pharmaceutical production reached $45 billion in 2022, with $1.7 billion invested in R&D and $650 million invested in clinical trials annually. Italian scientific and research institutes are highly ranked worldwide, with exponential interest in genomic research and creation of genomic laboratories. Between 2021 and 2022, over 646,643 genomic and genetic tests were performed in Italy’s132 specialized laboratories within top research hospitals in the country.
Italy has drafted a national plan for genomic research which suggests reimbursement of genomic technologies for the diagnosis of specific diseases. Funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) are invested in projects for precision medicine. Italy also actively participates in major European initiatives - ”1 Million Genomes (1+MG)” and “1 Billion Genomes (B1MG)”.
After a firm has been selected to participate in the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required.
- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises - $4,400.00
- Large firms - $6,500.00
- Each Additional firm representative (large firm or SME/trade organization) - $750
Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant. Interpreter and driving services can be arranged at an additional cost. Delegation members will be able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy rates for hotel rooms.
If and when an applicant is selected to participate on a particular mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the amount of the designated participation fee below is required. Upon notification of acceptance to participate, those selected have 5 business days to submit payment or the acceptance may be revoked.
Participants selected for a trade mission will be expected to pay for the cost of personal expenses, including, but not limited to, international travel, lodging, meals, transportation, communication, and incidentals, unless otherwise noted. Participants will, however, be able to take advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms. In the event that a mission is cancelled, no personal expenses paid in anticipation of a mission will be reimbursed. However, participation fees for a cancelled mission will be reimbursed to the extent they have not already been expended in anticipation of the mission.
If a visa is required to travel on a particular mission, applying for and obtaining such a visa will be the responsibility of the mission participant. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such a visa are not included in the participation fee. However, the Department of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on the procedures required to obtain business visas.
Trade Mission members participate in trade missions and undertake mission-related travel at their own risk. The nature of the security situation in a given foreign market at a given time cannot be guaranteed. The U.S. Government does not make any representations or guarantees as to the safety or security of participants. The U.S. Department of State issues U.S. Government international travel alerts and warnings for U.S. citizens available at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html . Any question regarding insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and its insurer of choice.
Travel and in-person activities are contingent upon the safety and health conditions in the United States and the mission countries. Should safety or health conditions not be appropriate for travel and/or in-person activities, the Department will consider postponing the event or offering a virtual program in lieu of an in-person agenda. In the event of a postponement, the Department will notify the public, and applicants previously selected to participate in this mission will need to confirm their availability but need not reapply. Should the decision be made to organize a virtual program, the Department will adjust fees, accordingly, prepare an agenda for virtual activities, and notify the previous selected applicants with the option to opt-in to the new virtual program.
Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application and supplemental application materials, including adequate information on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation that is adequate to allow the Department of Commerce to evaluate their application. If the Department of Commerce receives an incomplete application, the Department may either: reject the application, request additional information/clarification, or take the lack of information into account when evaluating the application. If the requisite minimum number of participants is not selected for a particular mission by the recruitment deadline, the mission may be cancelled.
Each applicant must also certify that the products and services it seeks to export through the mission are either produced in the United States, or, if not, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least fifty-one percent U.S. content by value.
In addition, each applicant must:
Certify that the products and services that it wishes to market through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export controls and regulations;
Certify that it has identified any matter pending before any bureau or office in the Department of Commerce;
Certify that it has identified any pending litigation (including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that involves the Department of Commerce; and
Sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates (1) have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in connection with a company’s/participant’s involvement in this mission, and (2) maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of foreign officials.
Targeted mission participants are U.S. firms providing or promoting U.S. products and services that have an interest in entering or expanding their business in the mission’s destination country. The following criteria will be evaluated in selecting participants:
- Suitability of the applicant’s products or services to these markets;
- The applicant’s potential for business in the markets, including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission; and
- Consistency of the applicant’s goals and objectives with the stated scope of the mission.
Balance of company size and location may also be considered during the review process. Referrals from a political party or partisan political group or any information, including on the application, containing references to political contributions or other partisan political activities will be excluded from the application and will not be considered during the selection process. The sender will be notified of these exclusions.
Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce Department trade mission calendar (http://export.gov/trademissions) and other Internet web sites, press releases to general and trade media, direct mail, notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows. Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no later than January 31, 2025. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants of selection decisions on a rolling basis. Applications received after January 31, 2025, will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
Michelle Ouellette (U.S. based Recruitment Lead)
Senior International Trade Specialist
Boston U.S. Export Assistance Center
+ 1 (617)565-4302
Michelle.Ouellette@trade.gov
Cindy Ma
Senior International Trade Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – San Jose, CA
+1 (510) 368-0765
Cindy.Ma@trade.gov
Monica Toporkiewicz
Senior International Trade Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Chicago, IL
+1 312-353-8059
Monica.Toporkiewicz@trade.gov
