Innovative Health Initiative reaches new milestone

Brussels, 21 October 2021. The health industry associations representing pharmaceutical, medical technology, and digital health technology companies (COCIR, EFPIA, EuropaBio, MedTech Europe and Vaccines Europe) note the adoption of the European Parliament Report on the Single Basic Act establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe in today’s plenary session.

The adoption of the European Parliament Report is a necessary milestone towards the establishment of the Public-Private Partnership. This unique cross-sectorial initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s position at the forefront of health innovation by bringing together public and private knowledge, resources and experts.

In this context, public and private partners will pioneer the patient-centred integration of knowledge, technology and products covering each and every aspect of care to improve lives of patients across Europe and beyond.

The Council of the European Union is expected to adopt the Single Basic Act in November 2021. In this regard, the five industry associations stress the need for smooth procedures that engage all relevant stakeholders in setting (1) scientific priorities and in developing call topics; (2) suitable (including IP) conditions that allow the industry to contribute valuable (also scientific) assets; (3) a framework for global collaboration by bringing expertise and assets into EU projects from third countries and research hubs abroad.
 
Finally, the health industry calls for a swift conclusion to the legislative negotiations and looks forward to establishing this partnership and moving towards the next stage of innovation in healthcare.

More information on the Innovative Health Initiative:
- IHI website: https://www.ihi.europa.eu/
- European Commission’s website: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/european-partnerships-horizon-europe/candidates-european-partnerships-health_en
- IMI website – IHI page: www.imi.europa.eu/about-imi/innovative-health-initiative