The debate takes place at a time when important decisions on EU health research are under preparation and against the background of profound changes and challenges in pharmaceutical research & development (R&D). Key issues in this context are:
- Developing innovative drugs is proving increasingly difficult and costly. Some pharmaceutical companies give up on entire disease areas, while many diseases and conditions still lack effective treatments. Is there a way out of this innovation crisis?
- Budgets for pharmaceutical R&D are tighter than ever. Which new business models are needed?
- Are public-private partnerships the way forward? What are the lessons learnt from the IMI experience for Horizon 2020? Would other models offer a better solution?
The debate will be moderated by Andrew Jack, pharmaceuticals correspondent at the Financial Times.
About IMI
IMI is the world’s largest public-private partnership in health. IMI is improving the environment for pharmaceutical innovation in Europe by engaging and supporting networks of industrial and academic experts in collaborative research projects. The European Union contributes €1 billion to the IMI research programme, which is matched by in kind contributions worth at least another €1 billion from the member companies of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).
The Innovative Medicines Initiative is currently funding 37 projects, many of which are already producing impressive results. The projects all address major bottlenecks which will accelerate the development of safer and more effective treatments for patients.
More info: www.imi.europa.eu