The Innovation Platform examines the recently introduced European Life Sciences Strategy and its aim to accelerate Europe’s leadership in the life sciences sector.
Life sciences (the study of living organisms and life processes) are essential to our health, environment, and economy, and have important applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Recognizing the importance of this sector, the European Commission (EC) has launched a new European Life Sciences Strategy to position Europe as an important hub for life sciences, and has committed to research and innovation in the life sciences sector.
actions and goals
Launched in July 2025, the strategy sets out a coordinated approach across the life sciences value chain and aims to make Europe the world’s most attractive location for life sciences by 2030. Supported by more than $10 billion a year from the current EU budget, it is designed to accelerate innovation, promote market access, build public confidence in new technologies and ensure that people and the planet benefit.
This strategy suggests several key actions.
Optimize your research and innovation ecosystem
The European Commission will develop an EU investment plan to facilitate funding for multi-country clinical trials and strengthen Europe’s clinical research infrastructure. The strategy will also promote One Health’s approach to research and innovation and mobilize up to €100 million under the Horizon Europe work program 2026-27 for the development and deployment of microbiome-based solutions. In addition, €250 million will be used for cross-cutting life science technologies to support the development of new products that drive industrial innovation and sustainability, including new approach methodologies, new molecules, advanced materials and more efficient biomanufacturing.
Ensuring rapid market access for life science innovations
To accelerate market access for life science innovations, the European Commission will propose an EU biotechnology law that would create an innovation-friendly framework across the biotechnology sector. The Commission will also launch a matching interface to connect start-ups, industry and investors, leveraging the European Innovation Council’s portfolio and its trusted investor network.
Promoting trust, adoption and use of these innovations
The Commission will mobilize €300 million to accelerate the procurement of life science innovations in areas such as climate change adaptation, next-generation vaccines and affordable cancer solutions. The Commission will also establish a Life Sciences Coordination Group to coordinate policy and funding across sectors and support engagement with key stakeholders, including industry and the public.
Why is strategy so important?
Life sciences are a major economic contributor to Europe, generating €1.5 trillion of added value and accounting for 9.4% of the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP). The sector also invests heavily in research and development (R&D), with 46.6 billion euros spent in 2022. The biotechnology industry alone had a gross value added of €38.1 billion in 2022.
The strategy aims to use these strengths as a foundation and maximize the potential of life sciences for Europe’s competitiveness and the well-being of its citizens. The strategy is also based on a large body of evidence, including two studies produced by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center: “The EU’s life sciences sector: a driver of economic growth and innovation” and “Patent trends in the life sciences sector: a focus on pharmaceuticals and medical technologies”, which provide country-specific information on socio-economic indicators in the life sciences sector.
Connections with other strategies and initiatives
In 2024, the European Commission launched the Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Strategy, a series of activities to promote biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the EU. Life sciences strategies build on these activities, but are broader in scope, covering areas such as food, health, medicine, and the environment. We are also introducing a series of new actions, including flagship initiatives such as the Clinical Research Investment Plan, the One Health Microbiome Initiative and the Life Sciences Coordination Group, which place greater emphasis on competitiveness and sustainability and complement those of the 2024 Strategy.
The European Life Sciences Strategy is not a stand-alone initiative, but an overarching framework within which other initiatives will be developed, including the next biotechnology law and the new bioeconomy strategy.
clinical research
Investment in clinical research has become a key element of the strategy, particularly with the introduction of the Clinical Research Investment Plan. Clinical trials are a critical component of the competitive medical field, and urgent action is needed in research and innovation to support the establishment and long-term sustainability of clinical research networks. The proposed clinical research investment plan would support this by directing funding to multinational clinical trials at both European and national level and strengthening Europe’s research infrastructure in this area.
Food and microbiome research
Food is another important area of life sciences and a key focus of the strategy, with food systems at the core of the European Commission’s sustainability, competitiveness and security priorities. A robust research and innovation framework for food systems is therefore essential to ensure these priorities. Food system solutions are key to addressing societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and diet-related diseases.
This strategy will also accelerate microbiome research and innovation. From developing new, healthier foods to restoring degraded habitats, the microbiome offers solutions to a variety of real-world challenges, and this is an area where further research is urgently needed. The strategy proposes a series of initiatives and opportunities in this area, supported by nearly €100 million under the next Horizon Europe work program in 2026-27.
international cooperation
We rely heavily on international cooperation to make significant scientific advances and develop innovations to address major global challenges. The strategy will align funding, introduce measures such as flagship actions to accelerate solutions to climate change and health challenges, and strengthen the EU’s commitment to international cooperation. This will be supported by 170 million euros from Horizon Europe.
Additionally, the European Commission will take steps to support the career development of life sciences researchers and attract global talent, including through the Choose Europe initiative.
This article will also be published in the quarterly magazine issue 24.
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