The Innovation Platform explores the recently introduced Strategy for European Life Sciences and its aims to accelerate Europe’s leadership in the life sciences sector.
Life science – the study of living organisms and life processes – is integral to our health, environment and economy, with crucial applications in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. Recognising the importance of this discipline, the European Commission (EC) has committed to research and innovation within the life sciences sector by launching a new Strategy for European Life Sciences to position Europe as the key hub for life sciences.
Actions and objectives
The strategy, which launched in July 2025, aims to make Europe the most attractive place in the world for life sciences by 2030, setting out a co-ordinated approach across the entire life sciences value chain. Backed by over $10bn annually from the current EU budget, it is designed to accelerate innovation, facilitate market access, and build public trust in new technologies, ensuring they benefit the people and the planet.
The strategy puts forward several key actions:
Optimising the research and innovation ecosystem
The European Commission will develop an EU investment plan to facilitate funding for multi-country clinical trials and strengthen European clinical research infrastructures. This strategy will also promote a One Health approach to research and innovation and mobilise up to €100m under the Horizon Europe work programmes 2026-27 to develop and deploy microbiome-based solutions. In addition, €250m will be used for cross-sectoral life sciences technologies, supporting the development of new products that drive industrial innovation and sustainability, including new approach methodologies, novel molecules, advanced materials and more efficient biomanufacturing.
Ensuring rapid market access for life science innovations
To speed up market access for life science innovations, the Commission will propose an EU Biotech Act that will create a more innovation-friendly framework across biotech sectors. The Commission will also launch a matchmaking interface to connect startups, industry and investors, leveraging the European Innovation Council portfolio, and its Trusted Investors Network.
Boosting trust, uptake, and use of these innovations
The Commission will mobilise €300m to stimulate the procurement of life science innovation in areas such as climate change adaptation, next-generation vaccines, and affordable cancer solutions. The Commission will also set up a Life Science Coordination Group to align policies and funding across sectors, and support engagement with key stakeholders, including industry and citizens.
Why is the strategy so important?
Life sciences are a major economic contributor for Europe, generating €1.5tn in value added 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 €46.6bn spent in 2022. The biotechnology industry alone had a gross value added of €38.1bn in 2022.
Using these strengths as a foundation, the strategy aims to unlock the full potential of life sciences for European competitiveness and the wellbeing of its people. The strategy also builds on a large body of evidence, including two studies produced by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre: The Life Sciences sectors in the EU: drivers of economic growth and innovation and Trends in patents in Life Sciences: focus on pharmaceuticals and medical technologies, as well as country-specific information on socioeconomic indicators for the life sciences sectors.
Connections with other strategies and initiatives
In 2024, the European Commission launched the Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Strategy – a series of actions to boost biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the EU. The Life Sciences Strategy builds on these actions but has a wider scope, covering areas such as food, health, pharmaceuticals, and the environment. It also places a stronger emphasis on competitiveness and sustainability, and introduces a new set of actions, including flagship initiatives such as a Clinical Research Investment Plan, a One Health Microbiome Initiative and a Life Sciences Coordination Group – complementing the ones from the 2024 Strategy.
The Strategy for European Life Sciences is not a standalone initiative but an overarching framework under which other initiatives, including the upcoming Biotech Act and the new Bioeconomy Strategy, will be developed.
Clinical research
Investment in clinical research is a key component of the strategy, particularly with the introduction of the Clinical Research Investment Plan. Clinical trials are a crucial element of a competitive health sector 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 will support this by channelling funding for multi-country clinical trials both at European and national levels, and by reinforcing European research infrastructures in this field.
Food and microbiome research
Food is another key area of life sciences and is an important focus of the srategy, with food systems being at the core of the European Commission’s priorities of sustainability, competitiveness, and security. A robust research and innovation framework for food systems is, therefore, critical to securing these priorities. Food system solutions are key to address societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and diet-related diseases.
The strategy also pushes for acceleration in microbiome research and innovation. From developing new and healthier foods to restoring degraded habitats, microbiomes offer solutions to a variety of real-world challenges and this is an area in urgent need of further exploration. The strategy puts forward a set of initiatives and opportunities in this domain, backed by nearly €100m under the next Horizon Europe work programme 2026-27.
International collaboration
Making significant scientific progress and developing innovations to tackle major global challenges relies heavily on international collaboration. The strategy cements the EU’s commitment to international co-operation, introducing measures such as a flagship action to align funders and accelerate solutions for climate resilience and health challenges. This will be supported by €170m from Horizon Europe.
In addition, the Commission will take action to support career development of life science researchers and to attract global talent, including through the Choose Europe initiative.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 24th edition of our quarterly publication.
