In July 2025, the European Commission launched the EU Life Sciences Strategy, titled “Choose Europe for Life Sciences”. This strategic plan aims to position the EU as the world’s most attractive place for life sciences by 2030, spanning health, biotech, agriculture, food systems, and green manufacturing.

The strategy is not just a policy document—it’s a call to action. It seeks to transform Europe’s fragmented innovation landscape into a cohesive, competitive, and future-ready ecosystem. For sponsors—especially those involved in clinical trials, biotech, and medtech—this strategy signals a meaningful shift in how research, regulation, and market access will be managed across the EU.

The strategy proposes a multi-phase approach by optimising the research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem, enabling smooth and rapid market access for life science innovations, and boosting uptake of life science innovations through public procurement and citizen engagement.

Five key takeaways from the strategy

1. Investment in innovation – The EU is scaling up support for R&I through Horizon Europe and public-private partnerships. This includes funding for multi-country clinical trials, rare disease research, and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). Bio clusters and centres of excellence will be strengthened across Member States.
2. The EU Biotech Act – A new Biotech Act will harmonise regulations across Member States and accelerate approval timelines for health, medical devices, and food applications. Regulatory sandboxes and AI-powered advisory tools will support startups and SMEs.
3. Digital transformation and AI integration – The strategy emphasises data-driven innovation. A Life Sciences R&I Data Assembly will be launched to improve access to high-quality data. This complements the European Health Data Space and upcoming AI in Science Strategy.
4. Green public procurement - The EU will invest €300 million in procuring life science innovations in climate adaptation, vaccines, and cancer care. This aligns with broader sustainability goals under the Clean Industrial Deal.
5. Public trust and engagement - Recognising that innovation must be trusted, the strategy includes measures to overcome mis- and disinformation, promote transparency, and engage citizens through science communication and community-based pilot programmes.

How this impacts sponsors and considerations to adjust to the new framework

Sponsors will be directly affected by several elements of the strategy:

• Centralised clinical trial applications – The Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) now serves as the single portal for trial submissions across the EU, simplifying multi-country trial processes.
• Shorter timelines and increased transparency – Sponsors must respond to regulatory queries within 12 days and publish trial results—including lay summaries—within one year of trial completion.
• Funding and collaboration opportunities – Sponsors can tap into EU-level funding, join bio clusters, and collaborate with centres of excellence focused on ATMPs and rare diseases.
• Regulatory alignment – The Biotech Act and harmonised ethical review processes will reduce regulatory burdens and improve predictability for sponsors.
• Public disclosure risks – With increased transparency, sponsors must carefully manage confidential data to avoid jeopardising intellectual property or commercial interests.

For sponsors to be able to adjust to this new framework, it demands agility, transparency, and strategic alignment with EU priorities. Those who adapt early—by mastering new systems, engaging with EU initiatives, and building public trust—will be best positioned to thrive in Europe’s evolving life sciences landscape.

Partnering with the EU’s vision for life sciences

At Venn Life Sciences, we fully support the EU’s strategic vision for life sciences. With over 25 years of experience, we’ve built a strong reputation as a trusted partner in drug development—combining scientific innovation, regulatory expertise, and operational excellence.

We provide end-to-end consultancy and services to help bring products to market faster, without compromising on quality or compliance.

Our integrated approach includes:

• Strategic drug development consultancy
• Clinical trial design and execution
• Expertise across CMC, Non-Clinical, Clinical Pharmacology, Statistics, Study Design, Data Management, RTSM, and Regulatory Affairs

We collaborate with a wide range of clients—from virtual biotech startups to global pharmaceutical companies—across diverse therapeutic areas. Our team’s deep experience with global regulators enables us to design development programs that are both scientifically robust and regulatory-ready.

As an independent partner, we deliver tailored solutions that include risk assessment and mitigation strategies—saving time and resources while helping clients meet critical milestones.

Get in touch to explore how our expertise can accelerate your development journey.