"I am going to strengthen innovation. I am taking the reins of an association that is financially solvent and has gained strength among the administrations. And my purpose is to start with this contribution of value. In addition, there are large absences" within BIOVAL "and I want to add companies that should be part" of this association of companies and entities of Biotechnology, Biomedicine and Bioeconomy.
These are two of the purposes of the new president of the BIO cluster in the Valencian Community. "I was presenting myself as a member, but Jesús Casanova, who is my professional father, with whom I got to know the business world, encouraged me to assume the presidency that Carlos Ledó was leaving", says the head of one of the leading companies in Europe as a laboratory specialized in oncogenetics, dedicated to research and development in human genetic diagnostics. It has a team of 85 professionals with more than 20 years of experience in the field of biomedicine.
Another of his immediate objectives is "to get to know each of the 109 associates personally because I have the firm conviction and purpose of contributing value to each one of them". For Pérez, it is key to "find synergies and forms of collaboration between the more traditional sectors and the research centers we have within our reach". "We must create an agenda of contacts and promote networking to work both with the traditional industry and with the large research platforms. Our companies, as producers, understand industry and we understand academia."
Pérez, until now treasurer of the Board of Directors, will chair a new board formed by representatives of 10 companies and entities of the BIO sector: AINIA, Asacpharma, Bioinicia, CEEI Valencia, Edypro Fertilizantes, FISABIO, Forest Chemical Group, INCLIVA, Medigene Press and Nunsys. "Shortly we will announce who will assume the vice-presidency, the secretary and the treasury, positions in which I already advance that there will be parity", he assures. Three new faces will participate in this board: Loreto Crespo, from Medigene; Vicente de Juan, from Incliva; and Javier de Suñer, from Nunsys.
Ángela Pérez has been working since 2009 at the University of Valencia Science Park, where Imegen is located. This company performs all types of genetic analysis using the most innovative techniques on the market. Among its services offered last year was the production of diagnostic kits for the Sars-Cov-2 virus and the test development service. The Valencian company has been selected by the Ministry of Health, through the National Institute of Health Management (INGESA), for the supply of PCR kits in most autonomous communities.