**Europe is “losing ground” to competitors due to problems including insufficient entrepreneurship, Commission says**
The European Commission has launched a consultation on the European strategy for the life sciences it intends to present in the second quarter of this year—and it has warned that a turnaround is needed.
Launching the call for evidence on 20 March, the Commission said the EU “has been very strong in the life sciences…but it is now losing ground to its main global competitors”.
“The EU is currently falling behind in terms of both investment in research and innovation and benefit from it,” the consultation summary says.
It adds that developing and making use of new life science innovations is essential for the bloc as a way of creating jobs and growth.
**Strategy aims**
“The strategy will identify key challenges and opportunities to speed up the safe development, deployment and uptake of life sciences-based innovation, including to support the digital and green transitions,” the summary says.
This will include strengthening fundamental research and its translation into products and services, the summary adds. There will be a particular focus on “industrial needs to strengthen the EU’s competitiveness and leadership, especially in high-value-added and critical technologies”.
Challenges identified in the summary include a lack of incentives for entrepreneurship; a complex and fragmented regulatory landscape that is costly to navigate; limited access to investment; and a shortage of skills.
“A concerted EU-level strategy is needed with actions that mobilise public and private capacities and investments across EU member states and regions,” the summary says.
Responses to the consultation, which is open until 17 April, will contribute to the “fine-tuning” of the strategy, the Commission said.
The strategy will propose actions for 2025-29 at the EU, national and regional levels.
**Responses already received**
The Commission is publishing responses to the consultation as they are provided.
Those already published make suggestions including that EU-wide training modules for the life sciences should be developed and that the European education system should be reformed to adopt best practices from elsewhere.
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