Denmark is spearheading calls for a transformative European Life Sciences Strategy, urging the EU to prioritise innovation-friendly regulation, according to Euractiv.
The push comes as the European Commission prepares to unveil its strategy later this year, with Denmark’s blueprint, crafted by the Danish Life Science Council, serving as a cornerstone for discussions.
The proposal, submitted to the Commission in April 2025, emphasises three pillars: public-private partnerships, venture capital access for SMEs, and adoption of emerging technologies. The Council warns that without urgent action, the EU risks falling behind in health innovation, particularly against US and Asian competitors.
Key recommendations include establishing a European Life Science Investment Fund via the European Investment Fund (EIF) to support scaling SMEs and direct equity investments by the European Investment Bank (EIB) in strategic sectors like MedTech and bio-medicine. Another recommendation involves expanding Horizon Europe funding for life sciences research and creating a multi-country clinical trial ecosystem to streamline drug development.
The Commission’s open call for evidence, closing on 17 April, has drawn diverse feedback. US-based RareGen Youth Network advocates for equity safeguards and incentives for rare disease R&D, whereas Italy’s Curio Bio stresses the need to integrate AI and quantum computing into medical research.
Denmark’s own 2024–2030 national strategy, featuring 36 initiatives to bolster clinical trials and attract foreign investment, serves as a model. The plan has already boosted Denmark’s life sciences exports, which account for 14.4% of total exports, and aims to position the country as Europe’s leading life sciences hub by 2030.
EU biotech represents just 12% of global market value, dwarfed by US dominance in R&D. Denmark’s Minister Ellen Trane Nørby underscored the need for “innovation-friendly regulation” to retain talent and production within Europe, amid concerns over the Pharma Package’s potential to stifle innovation.
