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EFPIA statement on Horizon Europe

EFPIA welcomes the publication today of the Horizon Europe research framework programme and its specific health cluster in the Global Challenges pillar. Research is a driver of health and growth in Europe underlining the importance of an ambitious health research programme. 

A thriving R&D environment is essential for economic growth in Europe as it attracts high research intensity sectors such as the pharmaceutical sector. Science and technology drive development of new integrated and more personalised healthcare solutions. They also drive the evolution of the sector itself and make it more reliant on a vibrant and connected pan-European health and research ecosystem.  The European Research and Innovation Framework Programmes have a demonstrated track record in supporting this evolution.  

More than ever, the overall structure and ambition of Horizon Europe is centred on relevance and on impact for patients and society and places as much emphasis on fundamental as on translational research and close to market activities.  This will require stepping up collaboration models between all stakeholders and all sectors (industries, technologies, public and private); the proposal for European Partnerships is therefore particularly welcome. 

The increase in the research budget to €100 billion is a good signal and we would support the call for an additional increase requested by the High Level Group on maximising impact of EU Research and Innovation Programmes. EFPIA has high aspirations for Europe as leader in medical innovation. It is critical that an appropriate proportion of the research budget is dedicated to health research and development. The track record of Horizon 2020, including its Innovative Medicines Initiative Public Private Partnership, has added enormous value to EU health research, accelerating medical innovation and facilitating translation of science into new health solutions. 

EFPIA and its members companies are committed to working with all parts of the research eco-system to ensure that Europe continues to be at the forefront of medical innovation.