EU Launches Biotech Plan to Compete Globally

The European Commission has unveiled a new Biotech Act aimed at enhancing the EU's global competitiveness in the biotechnology sector, acknowledging its current lag behind the US and China in turning scientific innovation into commercial products.

Health Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi stated that the Act seeks to create a robust industrial, financial, and regulatory environment, promoting a 'made in Europe' approach to support the industry, expedite development, and reward projects that bolster Europe's industrial base.

Key measures include the Health Biotech Investment Pilot, which aims to mobilize approximately 40 billion euros annually over the next decade, and provisions for shortening clinical trial procedures, extending patent protections by 12 months for certain innovative medicines, and establishing regulatory sandboxes for testing novel biotech products.

The proposal also emphasizes prioritizing strategic health biotech projects that enhance the EU's capabilities across the entire value chain from research to manufacturing, addressing the decline in the share of European clinical trials from 22% in 2013 to 12% in 2023, while China's share rose from 5% to 18% during the same period.