Position paper - EU IP rules and incentives: When good policy is as important as good science

In the face of a regional investment deficit and increasing global competition for talent and capital, the ability to innovate is key to securing Europe’s future growth and competitiveness. To drive investment in innovative R&D, companies of all sizes rely on a strong and predictable Intellectual Property (IP) and exclusivity based incentives framework.

One of the largest investors in R&D in Europe is the life sciences industry, which contributes significantly to Europe’s economic and social prosperity, bringing direct benefits to patients and helping tackle public health challenges. In the pharmaceutical sector, bringing innovative and better treatment options to patients that are safe and efficient typically takes ten to twelve years of high-risk investments. Innovators need predictability and protection to collaborate with partners, compete successfully and accelerate the launch of new products.

The European Commission’s review of pharmaceutical incentives takes place in a context of controversy and debate on the sustainability of healthcare systems and pharmaceutical prices. These discussions are important and AmCham EU is willing to be a constructive partner. However, we do not believe that a review of the EU IP incentives framework is an effective means to manage the sustainability of healthcare systems across the EU and respond to patients’ individual needs.

AmCham EU calls on the EU to strengthen the existing IP incentives framework in order to promote an innovation-friendly environment in the EU to the benefit of European patients and the research and development (R&D) companies that serve their health needs. Reducing the scope or duration of IP incentives, particularly for sectors that depend the most on such mechanisms, risks jeopardising the EU’s industrial competitiveness and growth.

Please contact Ava Lloyd at ava@amchameu.eu with any questions regarding this position paper.