What the Commission is doing
On 2 July 2025, the European Commission released its Strategy for European Life Sciences to position Europe as the world's most attractive place for life sciences by 2030. The strategy is a key part of the Commission's competitiveness agenda and was announced by President Von der Leyen in her Political Guidelines 2024-29.
Life sciences – the study of living systems, from cells to ecosystems – drive innovation in medicine, food and sustainable production, and are a major contributor to the European economy.
Backed by more than €10 billion annually from the current EU budget, the strategy sets out a coordinated approach across the entire life sciences value chain. It aims to accelerate innovation, facilitate market access, and build public trust in new technologies, ensuring they benefit the people and the planet.
Research and Innovation days 2025
This session brought together key stakeholders in European life sciences (Member States, industry, academia and SMEs) to discuss the role of Europe as leader in the life sciences and how to jointly implement the Strategy, to deliver on our competitiveness, green and digital goals and improve people’s quality of life.
Why the strategy is needed
Life sciences can make Europe more competitive and help drive progress in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, energy, food and biotechnology.
For decades, Europe has been a leader in this field thanks to its strong knowledge base and know-how. However, it is losing ground to other global players in turning research into real-world solutions due to challenges such as fragmented funding and innovation systems, regulatory complexities and slow market uptake.
The strategy builds on a large body of evidence, including studies on the life sciences sector by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and proposes actions that will help Europe regain its position as a global life sciences leader, driving innovation, economic growth, and job creation.
Documents
Life sciences study living systems, from microorganisms, plants, animals and human beings to ecosystems, and the links between them.
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
Choose Europe for life sciences: A strategy to position the EU as the world’s most attractive place for life sciences by 2030
Latest
Life sciences – the study of living systems, from cells to ecosystems – are central to our health, environment and economy. They drive innovation in medicine, food and sustainable production, adding nearly €1.5 trillion in value to the EU economy and supporting 29 million jobs across the Union.