Nine European drugmakers warn the region is losing ground on research
In a joint letter, the companies call for faster trial approvals and stronger intellectual property protection, and say investment is moving to the U.S. and China.
By Meera RaghunathanPublished · 1 min read
The chief executives of nine European pharmaceutical companies have written to the European Commission warning that the bloc's share of global drug research is shrinking and will continue to do so without policy changes.
The letter cites figures showing Europe hosted 19% of new commercial clinical trials last year, down from 25% a decade earlier. It asks for a single approval process for multi-country trials with a 60-day limit, and for the Commission to drop proposals that would shorten the period of regulatory data protection.
A Commission spokesperson said the concerns would be considered as part of ongoing legislative talks. Patient organizations have backed faster trial approvals while opposing longer exclusivity, which they say delays cheaper medicines.
