"Nobody should think that living organisms will be developed at laboratory, because it is neither efficient nor of much interest". This was stated by the director of Genoma España during his visit at research center Applied Medicine of the University of Navarra, at reference letter to the synthetic cell, recently designed by the scientist Craig Venter.

In his opinion, "an artificial life form has not been created with this cell, because 100% is not artificial. The complete chromosome of a bacterium has been synthesized by artificial methods and inserted into a bacterium from which the genome itself has been removed. The genetic material, which contains all the information to make that cell viable, is synthetic, but the envelope is a natural bacterium".

However, he pointed out that for the first time in history, a cell does not come from the division of other cells, but from the division of artificial genetic material. "It is an important milestone and has great relevance at the scientific level since it shows that it is feasible. Venter's project consists of determining the minimum genome that allows life, maintaining basic physiological functions and the ability to reproduce. Once obtained, it is possible to insert, by means of engineering techniques Genetics, genes that have a utility internship, such as producing a certain compound: a drug, biofuels of industrial interest, etc.".

50% of the drugs in the clinical phase of research are of biotechnological origin.

The director general of the Genoma España foundation, created in 2002 to promote research in genomics and proteomics, presented the Bio-entrepreneurs program at the University of Navarra, in an event organized by the Scientific and Technological Institute of the University of Navarra and with the support of the Enterprise Europe Network initiative and the department Innovation, business and employment through ANAIN.

The goal of this program is to train professionals from the academic world interested in starting up biotechnology companies in basic business management techniques. At the end of the program, Genoma España selects the 5 best projects and awards prizes of between 20,000 and 30,000 euros for the start-up of the business initiative.

Rafael Camacho assured that "up to 50% of the drugs that are in the clinical phase of research are of biotechnological origin". In his opinion, the expectations placed on the genome have been fulfilled, both in the clinical and industrial fields. "We have up to 250 drugs in common use that have been created from this knowledge and which, in most cases, make it possible to treat diseases that until now had no treatment".

Genomic medicine is a reality. "It will obviously evolve further, but there are now notable examples of application in oncological and neurodegenerative diseases, both in diagnostic methods and in the development of drugs whose dose can be administered according to the patient's genetic profile ." He also stresses that the incorporation of genomics has revolutionized the landscape of the pharmaceutical industry. "Traditionally it used more or less random methods to develop molecules. Now you can identify molecular targets that allow you to design specific biotech drugs for each marker."