EU Health Coalition welcomes Life Sciences Strategy, Calls for Bold Implementation
The EU Health Coalition, representing 55 organisations from across Europe’s health and life sciences community, welcomes the adoption of the European Commission’s “Choose Europe for Life Sciences” Strategy and the recognition of the sector as a cornerstone of Europe’s health security, economic resilience, and global competitiveness.
The Strategy touches on several important areas for Europe’s life sciences ecosystem, including increased attention to translational research and innovation, steps towards more coordinated governance, new initiatives on digital and data-driven health innovation, and measure to support multi-country clinical trials. These elements align with the Coalition’s vision of a thriving European life sciences ecosystem that delivers for people, economies, and societies.
We particularly welcome the establishment of a Life Sciences Coordination Board within the European Commission, which well reflects the call from the Coalition in view of the European elections 2024 to establish an EU Health and Life Science Office. This Board offers a much-needed mechanism to connect policymaking across sectors and directorates, ensure strategic alignment, connect with stakeholders and support the coherent implementation of life sciences policy across health, research, digital, and industrial domains.
Still, greater ambition and implementation detail are needed in key areas.
To strengthen Europe’s leadership in life sciences and health innovation, the next EU budget (2028–2034) should prioritise dedicated, ring-fenced funding for patient-centered research, development and innovation (RD&I), along with mechanisms that support the translation of scientific advances into real-world health solutions. These efforts should aim to address unmet medical needs and accelerate the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and medical technologies. Long-term investments are needed in clinical research infrastructure — including hospitals, biobanks, and data networks — and their integration into national health systems. Facilitating multi-country trials and cross-border access, in line with the EU Cross-Border Clinical Trials Initiative, will be essential to accelerating innovation and improving access for patients across Europe.
At the same time, the EU must address growing pressures on the health workforce by aligning with the Pact for Skills and supporting digital upskilling and workforce retention through targeted funding. Strategic and sustained investment is also needed to support the involvement of patient and civil society organisations, through predictable funding models such as Operating Grants, and by embedding people-centred approaches in decision-making. Finally, stronger collaboration and integration of digital health and AI into research and care processes will help create a more connected, data-driven, and resilient healthcare ecosystem.
The EU Health Coalition stands ready to support the implementation of this strategy. By working together and maintaining focus, Europe can take important steps toward a more resilient, innovative, and patient-centered health ecosystem.