To turn life science competitiveness goals into reality, Europe needs a Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) that includes ambitious funding for health and life sciences that aligns with the competitiveness compass objectives.

The MFF proposal of 16 July offers some positive signals. The alignment with the competitiveness compass creates a foundation for greater funding coherence, improved impact of public funding, and a renewed focus on closing the innovation gap with other regions. The proposal for a standalone research framework programme, with increased budget and focus on the entire innovation journey from discovery to health systems readiness through partnerships and collaboration is a very positive step.

However, while the promised overall increase of the EU budget is welcome by industry, we do not believe that the health and health research innovation have been sufficiently prioritised despite their strategic importance for Europe’s competitiveness and security. 

We also have concerns regarding the proposal for a ‘corporate lump-sum contribution’, which runs counter to the ambitions of the competitiveness compass and the EU’s ability to increase global investment.

Key areas to watch to secure health impact

EFPIA has identified three critical dimensions that need continued attention as the policy debate progresses

• Resourcing of Health and Life Sciences Pillars: To boost both the economic and health security, the EU should increase and ringfence funding for health and health research and all essential pillars of a competitive life science innovation ecosystem (digital health infrastructures, multi-country clinical trial networks, and regulatory networks capacity, health systems’ preparedness for new health solutions).
• Rules and Agility: Applying a uniform rulebook across diverse programmes risks undermining agility. The experience under Horizon Europe demonstrated that harmonisation does not automatically lead to simplification. Differentiation is necessary to enable a broad range of collaborations and to attract a diverse range of stakeholders, particularly from industry, which must contend with its own operational constraints. Simplification must go hand-in-hand with responsiveness and reduced administrative burden. Consolidation of many programmes also requires proper balancing between efficiency and inclusiveness in the governance structure.
• Scope: impact on competitiveness extends beyond the mere development of technologies and products. It also stems from a robust ecosystem, one equipped with the necessary infrastructure, networks, and capacity to accelerate and de-risk innovation across the entire value chain, from discovery to deployment, including healthcare systems’ readiness.

Essential pillars for a globally competitive innovation ecosystem

EFPIA highlights the following priorities as essential to ensure Europe’s long-term competitiveness and health and economic security:

• Strengthening networks and centres of excellence to foster rapid translation of knowledge into tangible solutions,
• Building capacity and infrastructure to modernise regulatory pathways for health solutions of the future, including resources for the European Medicines Agency and Regulatory networks,
• Accelerating approvals and completion of clinical trials,
• Unlocking public and private capital to support the innovation journey,
• Supporting health systems readiness and resilience through healthy populations, including by preventing and managing the burden of chronic diseases,
• Facilitating people- and patient-centred healthcare models of the future, including by ensuring sustainable funding of patient organisations to enable patient participation in regulatory, HTA and healthcare decision-making,
• Expanding patient access to novel health solutions across Europe,
• Supporting digital transformation of European healthcare systems for the benefit of patients, ensuring the competitiveness of Europe.

EFPIA looks forward to reviewing the detailed proposals for Horizon Europe and the ECF and stands ready to constructively contribute to the debate in the spirit of co-creation embodied in the life science strategy.

For further information, see EFPIA’s detailed positions:

• EFPIA Recommendations for the MFF
• Competitiveness Strategy for European Life Sciences
• Clinical Trials in Europe: Proposals to Strengthen the Ecosystem
• EFPIA’s Recommendations for FP10
• Agenda for action: Expanding funding options for Small and Medium-Sized pharma companies in Europe