News • EC proposal
Health industry welcomes European innovation partnership
The European Commission has proposed a European Partnership for Health Innovation under Horizon Europe - an endeavour that is supported by health industry stakeholders representing pharmaceutical and medical technology companies.
Image source: Xavier Häpe, European flag outside the Commission, CC BY 2.0
In a joint statement, COCIR, EFPIA, EuropaBio, MedTech Europe and Vaccines Europe voice their approval: "The Covid-19 pandemic has shown the importance of an environment that supports health research, development and innovation in Europe and that public private partnerships can deliver results to tackle public health threats. It has, at the same time, exposed the underlying fragility of many health systems within the EU.
Bringing together public and private knowledge, resources and experts, this Partnership aims to strengthen Europe’s position at the forefront of medical innovation, and to address current and future health challenges. In this unique cross-sectorial initiative, the partners will pioneer the patient-centred integration of knowledge, technology and products covering each and every aspect of care to improve lives of patients across Europe and beyond.
This crisis has reminded us of the crucial importance of health and wellbeing for our societies and economies, that health threats know no borders and that these challenges can only be faced effectively if we work together, across sectors
Active engagement by public and private partners is necessary to achieve the ambitious impact expected from this Partnership, aligned with the European Union ambition for a thriving research and innovation ecosystem. We support the Commission’s approach to providing a harmonised set of rules for institutionalised partnerships while, at the same time, ensuring efficient processes and flexibility for cross-sectorial collaboration specifically in health research and innovation. A fit for purpose framework needs to include:
- Transparent, open, and efficient processes that engage all relevant stakeholders in setting scientific priorities and in developing call topics.
- A solid IP framework that allows global companies and SMEs to contribute to, and engage in and secure long-term perspectives in R&D as well as an industrial footprint in Europe.
- Suitable conditions that allow industry to contribute valuable (also scientific) assets to the Partnership that would otherwise not be accessible to the research community.
- Possibility to enable global collaboration by bringing expertise and assets into EU projects from third countries and research hubs abroad.
This crisis has reminded us of the crucial importance of health and wellbeing for our societies and economies, that health threats know no borders and that these challenges can only be faced effectively if we work together, across sectors. Therefore, we call for a swift conclusion to the legislative negotiations, welcome dialogue with EU institutions and stakeholders and look forward to establishing this partnership and strengthening Europe as an innovation hub capable of addressing the unmet health needs and challenges of the 21st century."
Source: COCIR
23.02.2021
