Competitiveness of Europe and the biopharmaceutical industry: Are incentives a hindrance or a benefit?

We are delighted to invite you to the debate organised by PubAffairs Bruxelles which will be held on Wednesday the 22nd of November at 19.00 at the premises of Science14 Atrium, rue de la Science, 14-B, Brussels. The event will consist of a debate about whether incentives in the biopharmaceutical industry are a hindrance or a benefit for Europe’s global competitiveness.  Although speakers and event details will be announced in the coming days, we are publishing this event now to make sure you save the date.

About the debate

The European Commission’s Communication on ‘Investing in a smart, innovative and sustainable industry – A renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy’ was announced in the European Commission President Juncker’s September 2017 State of the Union address. The speech and the corresponding new Industrial Policy Strategy place considerable emphasis on innovation. At the same time the European Commission, as requested by EU member states in the EU Council Conclusions from June 2016, is currently analysing if the IP incentives and rewards system for the biopharmaceutical industry is fit for purpose. This includes assessing the impact of existing incentives on innovation, availability, accessibility and health systems sustainability. The primary question being asked is if incentives are helping to bring innovative new treatments to patients in areas of unmet medical needs.

The sustainability of healthcare expenditures is an essential question for every EU member state. At the same time, a change in the current IP incentives system would have an impact on Europe’s global competitiveness, the innovative biopharma industry, and the viability of European public-private partnerships in research. At stake are much needed high-skilled jobs and economic growth in Europe. Some commentators have argued that market exclusivity under the current IP regime is hindering competition, while others have pointed to the fact that a strong and predictable IP framework is needed to ensure investment into complex and high-risk areas such as biopharma innovation.

The assessment of the possible impact of changing the existing IP incentives on Europe’s global competitiveness, on patient’s access to innovative medicines, and on future innovation in European biopharma is crucial, especially in light of the new EU industrial policy strategy. Can Europe lead the world in life sciences, with its citizens first to benefit from the biologic and genomic revolution? Competitiveness of Europe and the biopharmaceutical industry: Are incentives a hindrance or a benefit?

This event will be held under the Chatham House Rule. Participants are free to use the information received but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the attendees may be revealed. For this reason, unless explicitly authorised by PubAffairs Bruxelles, the filming and/or the recording of the event by any means are strictly forbidden.

The event will commence with a welcome drink at 7h00 pm, followed by a panel debate at 7.30 pm. After the panel debate there will be an opportunity for questions and discussions.


We look forward to seeing you at 7h00 pm on the 22nd of November at Science14 Atrium, rue de la Science 14-B, Brussels.

All our debates are followed by a drink in a convivial atmosphere.