Review / Key Pillars
Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency is a vital opportunity to shape the future of European life sciences. To drive competitiveness, innovation, and resilience, BPCI urges coordinated action across four key pillars:
- Competitiveness We must maintain Europe’s global leadership. We advocate for an SME-inclusive Critical Medicines Act that avoids administrative burdens in procurement. Nationally, we urge the Government to advance the National Life Sciences Strategy and establish a dedicated Office of Life Sciences, all while safeguarding the Single Market.
- Innovation Science is moving fast; regulations must keep pace. We are pushing for the swift adoption of the EU Biotech Act to accelerate clinical trials and modernize IP protections (SPCs). We also strongly support implementing the European Health Data Space and ensuring EU funding recognises "process innovation."
- Sustainability Environmental goals must reflect industrial reality. We are advocating for pragmatic, risk-based PFAS regulations under REACH that include essential-use derogations to protect vital manufacturing. Championing an Affordable Energy Action Plan and addressing national grid constraints are also critical priorities for our sector.
- Regulatory Agility Reducing red tape is essential for a responsive industry. We are calling for faster review timelines from the EMA for advanced therapies, the rapid digitalisation of compliance systems, and the introduction of "regulatory sandboxes" to safely test new innovations.
We must move from high-level ambition to tangible action. By delivering on these pillars, the 2026 Presidency can leave a legacy of growth, agility, and stability for the biopharmachem sector in Ireland and across Europe.
