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Biodiversity
“Biodiversity” or biological diversity, refers to the variety of life on earth. It encompasses three categories: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. Biodiversity is vital to maintaining the balance of life on our planet. - Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within species.
- Species diversity refers to the variety of species within a region.
- Ecosystem diversity refers to the different communities or habitats found in a given location.
Biodiversity: A key issue worldwide
The world's natural ecosystems are deteriorating at a rate unprecedented in human history. Preserving biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable and fair use of natural resources stand out as key issues worldwide. Today they are an essential part of any Corporate Social Responsibility policy, and are considered critical topics for the Group. The Nagoya ProtocolIn October 2010, The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held their tenth meeting in Nagoya, Japan, drawing up what is referred to as the Nagoya Protocol. It was designed to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This international agreement provides a legal framework to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, directly addressing one of the three objectives of the CBD. The Nagoya Protocol has been at the center of debate in the business world and society at large, and Sanofi takes an active part in these discussions. Questions remain to be answered concerning how the protocol will be implemented, and how companies can prepare themselves to satisfy the new requirements set out in the protocol. The Nagoya Protocol was open for signature by Parties to the CBD from February 2011 until February 2012 at the UN Headquarters in New York.The Protocol becomes effective no later than October 8th, 2012. 2011-2020, Decade on Biodiversity Following the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution to make 2011-2020 the UN Decade on Biodiversity. One of the objectives of the Decade on Biodiversity is to promote the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (SBN), designed to significantly reduce biodiversity loss. Moreover, the European Union's Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, which is based on meeting six key targets, will also help halt the loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity and the pharmaceutical industry
The pharmaceutical industry places a great deal of importance on biodiversity because natural resources are critical for the discovery and development of new drugs. Natural resources offer valuable potential as sources for new chemical substances and active ingredients. Today biologists consider they may very well represent the treasure troves of pharmacopoeia in the 21st century, given the remarkable diversity of their substances and active ingredients. Origin of compoundsOver the past 25 years, nearly half of the 1,184 new chemical entities that have been marketed worldwide have come from substances found in nature. These 1,184 new compounds may be broken down as follows:
Source: EFPIA – Good practices and case studies on biodiversity References:
Source: David J. Newman and Gordon M. Cragg, “Natural Products as Sources of New Drugs over the Last 25 Years,” Journal of Natural Products, 2007, Vol.70, p 461-477.
For more information: Natural products as sources of new drugs
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