The European Commission has concluded its public consultation on the forthcoming Strategy for European Life Sciences. The call for evidence, open for four weeks on the “Have your Say” portal, attracted 794 responses from 28 countries in total: 20 EU countries, with the highest participation from Spain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria; and 8 non-EU countries, with the highest participation from the United Kingdom, United States and Switzerland.
Participants in this call for evidence included EU citizens as well as a wide range of stakeholders including academic and research institutions, non-governmental organisations, companies, business associations and public authorities.
Life sciences encompass the study of living systems, ranging from cells and microorganisms to plants, animals, humans, and entire ecosystems. They play a pivotal role in many sectors, including human and animal health, food and feed, and agriculture.
Based on a preliminary assessment, key cross-sectoral areas highlighted by respondents include challenges and opportunities related to:
- Translation and uptake of scientific and technological advancements
- Funding and investments
- Regulatory environment and Intellectual Property (IP) rights
- Talents and skills development
- Infrastructures and services, including data and artificial intelligence
- Greening research and industrial sectors
- Societal engagement and trust in science
Sector-specific areas highlighted by respondents include health, food and environment. In particular, a high number of replies to this call for evidence focused on the need to further support research into Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA), a group of rare nervous system disorders.
Next steps
The Commission is now analysing the feedback alongside input received from other sources, including national bodies and agencies. The strategy, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in her political guidelines and included in the Competitiveness Compass, will identify key challenges and opportunities to speed up the safe development, deployment and uptake of innovations based on life sciences. It is expected to be adopted in the summer 2025.
