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Biodiversity – The situation today

Biodiversity designates the diversity of species and the natural environment in which they grow. The preservation of biodiversity is defined as the maintenance and development of ecosystems as well as the reasonable management of plants and animals. The preservation of biodiversity is essential in view of its key role in maintaining the balance of our planet.  

The world's natural ecosystems are being degraded at a rate unprecedented in human history and a dramatically rapid acceleration in the disappearance of species is underway. This is why preserving biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable and fair use of biological resources stands out clearly as a planetary challenge and an indispensable part of any sustainable development strategy. 

The pharmaceutical industry places a great deal of importance on biodiversity. Genetic resources offer valuable potential as sources of new chemical substances and active ingredients. 

Today biologists consider that they may very well represent the treasure troves that will be the source of pharmacopoeia in the 21st century, given the remarkable natural diversity of their substances and active ingredients. 

Natural products play a very important role in the discovery and development process for new drugs today. Over the past twenty years, nearly half of new chemical entities came from substances found in nature.  

Origin of chemically synthesized compounds (1981-2002)