The challengeAbout the forumRegulatory sandboxesSteering committeeTimeline
Alliance for biosolutions
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Launched October 2025
Supported by Novo Nordisk Foundation

Biosolutions
Forum+

A forum to accelerate the development of biosolutions in Denmark — through smarter and faster regulation.

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778

€ bn
Expected global biosolutions market by 2035

4.5

million
New jobs expected in Europe towards 2035

5

million dkk
Support from Novo Nordisk Foundation

2025 - 27

Forum period, with option to extend

Chair of the Steering Committee

"We have legal tools that can help us regulate smarter — so the EU doesn't miss out on growth, jobs, and innovative solutions."

Linda Nielsen

University of Copenhagen

News and press

Forum+ Updates

Stay informed on regulatory developments, sandbox initiatives, and the latest from the Biosolutions Forum+ steering committee.

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March 12, 2026

March 16, 2026

Mapping of Danish biosolutions facilities highlights strengths and scaling needs

New mapping identifies 14 Danish biosolutions test and demonstration facilities. The overview highlights strong research capacity but a need for larger pilot and industrial scale infrastructure.

The challenge

EU regulation is holding back tomorrow's solutions

An accelerating climate crisis, rising food prices and a growing population have created an acute need for new solutions. Biosolutions can deliver them — but lengthy EU approval processes are a serious barrier.

In the first three quarters of 2025, just eight new solutions were added to the EU's novel food list. The path from application to approval takes up to 3–5 years — compared to 1–2 years in the US. For biological crop protection products it is even worse: EU approval can take 8–10 years, as they are categorised identically to conventional pesticides.

In the worst case, companies abandon the European market entirely — costing Europe growth, jobs, and green innovation. That is why the forum exists.

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3-5 Years

Novel food approval time in EU

Compared to just 1–2 years in the United States

8-10 Years

Biocontrol approval time in EU

Categorised the same as conventional pesticides

8

Novel foods approved in 9 months

Added to the EU novel food list, Q1–Q3 2025

€778bn

Global biosolutions market by 2035

Nearly double the current figure — ADC analysis, 2025

"We need to shed the kid gloves, pick up the pace, and ensure that rules keep up with development. We need new and smarter ways of regulating innovative solutions."  

Anne Lerche

Managing Director, Alliance for Biosolutions

What is Biosolutions Forum+?

An open platform for smarter regulation

Biosolutions Forum+ is a strategic forum established under Alliance for Biosolutions with support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Its purpose is to improve the framework conditions for biosolutions companies — nationally and in the EU.

Business
Research
Authorities
Civil society
NGOs
2025–2027
The forum unites business, research, authorities, and civil society around knowledge sharing, political dialogue, and the joint development of concrete recommendations that support competitiveness and the green transition.

The forum is open to all interested stakeholders.
Knowledge exchange & dialogue

The forum contributes to knowledge sharing on best practices and identifies needs for innovation-friendly interpretations and regulations across the biosolutions sector.

Maturing regulatory sandboxes

By mobilising companies and researchers, the forum ensures sandbox proposals are thoroughly prepared with legal expertise before official submission to authorities.

Political recommendations

The forum translates its work into concrete recommendations to political decision-makers nationally and in the EU — paving the way for a regulatory paradigm shift.

Our members

Regulatory sandboxes

A faster path to market

In the 2024 Entrepreneur Agreement, the Danish government allocated DKK 25 million to establish regulatory sandboxes within Danish areas of strongholds — including biosolutions.  

Biosolutions Forum+ will support this initiative throughout 2025–2027 by mobilising companies and researchers, and ensuring that sandbox proposals are carefully prepared with legal expertise before submission to the authorities.  

The goal: give sustainable products a faster route to market — and strengthen Denmark's position in the global competition.  

What is a regulatory sandbox?

A regulatory sandbox is a controlled experimental space where companies can test new products and technologies under adapted rules — while maintaining high safety standards.

It is a new instrument that allows national authorities to fine-tune mechanisms before full EU-scale implementation.

EU Net-Zero Industry Act

requires all member states to establish national contact points for regulatory sandboxes for net-zero technologies. Denmark implements this via the Danish Business Authority.  

Entrepreneur Agreement 2024

Biosolutions could generate over 600,000 European jobs by 2035 – both direct and indirect jobs if the right policy framework is in place.

Government Growth Team

Expected to publish recommendations for a national biosolutions strategy, including a dedicated regulatory track.  

Steering Committee

The people leading the work

Biosolutions Forum+ is led by a steering commitee consisting of members from businesses, academia, and civil society.

Chair
Linda Nielsen
Professor of Law,  
University of Copenhagen
Laila Pinheiro  
Head of Public Affairs, Europe
Syngenta
Susanne Palsten Buchardt  
CEO
Algiecel
Christian Brix Tillegren
Director, Planetary Health  
BioInnovation Institute  
Wieke Edinger
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Novonesis
Marie-Louise Boisen Lendal  
Director
Tænketanken Frej
Svend Christensen  
Professor
University of Copenhagen  
Andreas Worberg
Head of Center  
DTU Bioengineering  
Jakob Møller-Jensen  
Head of Faculty, Natural Sciences
University of Southern Denmark

Timeline

What happens when

January 2026  
Biosolutions Forum+ launched
Biosolutions Forum+ officially established under the Alliance for Biosolutions with Novo Nordisk Foundation support. Steering committee constituted with Dr. Jur. Linda Nielsen as chair.
Spring 2026 
Sandbox
Open working groups established around specific themes. Events, study tours, and case collections translate into political and regulatory recommendations.  
2027
Results & possible extension
Forum outputs and recommendations consolidated. Decision made on possible extension of the mandate beyond the original 36-month period.
Ongoing
sandbox
Companies and researchers mobilised to co-develop and qualify concrete sandbox applications — with legal expertise throughout the process.  

Get involved

The forum is open to everyone

Biosolutions Forum+ welcomes all interested stakeholders — companies, researchers, authorities, and organisations — who wish to work with regulatory sandboxes within biosolutions.  

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