News
The European Commission updates the EU Industrial Strategy
On 5 May, the European Commission published its updated EU Industrial Strategy to ensure that its industrial ambition takes full account of the new circumstances following the COVID-19 crisis. Accordingly, the Strategy will help driving the transformation to a more sustainable, digital, resilient, and globally competitive economy. The updated Strategy reiterates the priorities outlined in the previous March 2020 Communication, published one day before the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Avicenna Alliance provides feedback on the European Commissions’ roadmap for the revision of the EU general pharmaceuticals legislation
On 27 April, the Avicenna Alliance has submitted its feedback to the revision of the EU general pharmaceuticals legislation. Through this feedback, Avicenna Members provided the European Commission with guidance on how to meet unmet medical needs, maintain a system of incentives, promote evidence generation tools for marketing authorisation of innovative medicines, and support and accelerate product development and authorisation.
European Commission launches brand-new AI package
On Wednesday 21 April, the European Commission published its long-awaited regulation package on artificial intelligence (AI), including new rules and actions to position Europe as a hub for trustworthy AI application. The package includes a Communication on Fostering a European approach to Artificial Intelligence, a new regulatory framework on AI, a 2021 Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence, and a Proposal for a Regulation on Machinery Products.
Julian Upton, journalist at Pharmaceutical Executive, interviewed the Avicenna Alliance Board Members
Emmanuelle Voisin, Policy Development Working Group leader and Thierry Marchal, Secretary General of the Alliance released an interview to Julian Upton from Pharmaceutical Executive.
The European Commission has established the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)
On 1 April, the European Commission has newly established the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). HaDEA has already started to operate and taken up its role as the new body in charge of the financial management of key EU work programmes for health. By aiming to address the European Commission’s ambition to rebuild a post-COVID-19 Europe which is greener, more digital, and more resilient, HaDEA will play a key role in helping Europe to emerge from the challenges faced under the COVID-19 crisis and in strengthening its resilience towards current and future challenges.
President Biden’s plans to establish HARPA
U.S. President Joe Biden is considering plans to create an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (HARPA). This entity would support the funding of breakthrough innovations that solve medical problems, but which are not economically feasible for big health and pharmaceutical companies.
