EMBRACE 2025 Symposium: Advancing Europe’s Biotoxin Preparedness
The EMBRACE 2025 Symposium "Scientific Pathways to Biotoxin Preparedness", held at the OPCW ChemTech Centre on 15 October 2025 in The Hague, brought together leading scientists, policymakers, first responders, and international organisations to strengthen Europe’s capacity to respond to biotoxin threats.
Organised under the Horizon Europe project EMBRACE, the symposium marked a key milestone in Europe’s journey towards a coordinated and interoperable approach to biotoxin crisis management and the official launch of the Biotoxin Task Force (BTF).
Opening Perspectives: From Science to Operational Readiness
The event opened with Daan Noort, Head of the OPCW Laboratory, welcoming participants and highlighting the OPCW’s continuing commitment to scientific excellence and multilateral cooperation in the CBRN domain.
Dimitrios Drakoulis (Telesto Technologies) then introduced the EMBRACE project, outlining its mission to deliver practical, science-based tools and systems to support early detection, coordinated response, and improved resilience to biotoxin incidents.
Fanny Ewann (INTERPOL Bioterrorism Prevention Unit) followed with an overview of law enforcement’s evolving role in biotoxin preparedness, underscoring the importance of cross-border collaboration and intelligence-sharing to prevent deliberate misuse.
Scientific Pathways: From Biomarkers to Forensics
Three scientific sessions set the stage for deeper collaboration between research and operational practice.
- Dr Mirjam de Bruin-Hoegée (TNO, Netherlands) presented new biomarker-based approaches for verifying exposure to toxic agents — innovations that could strengthen biotoxin diagnostics and forensic investigations.
- Dr Anne Bossée (DGA CBRN Defence, France) shared insights from the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board’s Temporary Working Group on Biotoxins, detailing how risk-based prioritisation helps identify which biotoxins are most relevant in potential misuse scenarios.
- Dr Crister Åstot (Swedish Defence Research Agency) showcased advances in ricin chemical profiling, demonstrating how analytical chemistry can support source attribution and evidence validation.
These sessions illustrated the vital role of scientific progress in strengthening Europe’s preparedness for complex, cross-disciplinary biothreats.
Collaborative Action: Launching the Biotoxin Task Force
The afternoon sessions focused on the newly established Biotoxin Task Force (BTF), introduced by Jon Hall and Professor David Crouch of the Resilience Advisors Network. The Task Force is designed as a permanent, multi-sectoral forum bringing together researchers, responders, regulators, and industry experts to ensure that biotoxin preparedness remains a living, operational capability.
Participants engaged in a collaborative workshop to define the Task Force’s structure, priorities, and early actions; from harmonising procedures to validating emerging technologies and supporting the development of the Biotoxin Concept of Operations (CONOPs).
As the discussions concluded, participants confirmed the next steps for the Task Force, including its integration into existing European frameworks such as the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network (UCPKN) and the CMINE platform.
A Shared Commitment to Resilience
The EMBRACE 2025 Symposium marked more than the culmination of a research phase — it symbolised a transition from project outcomes to sustained European capacity. The event showcased how scientific excellence, operational experience, and policy coordination can converge to build a safer and more resilient Europe.
The EMBRACE consortium extends its sincere thanks to all partners, speakers, and participants who contributed to the success of this event.
Join the Biotoxin Task Force
The Biotoxin Task Force is now open for membership.
Researchers, policymakers, responders, and industry experts are invited to join and contribute to shaping Europe’s future preparedness.
Register to become a member: https://www.cmine.eu/topics/47329