Kraków Hosts Key Discussions on the Future of European Life Sciences Ahead of Strategic EU Proposal

Seven weeks before the European Commission unveils its Strategy for European Life Sciences on 2 July, a forward-looking policy dialogue took place in Kraków on 15-18 May 2025. The LifeScience4EU conference, held under the auspices of Poland’s EU Presidency programme, was hosted by Klaster LifeScience Kraków and brought together leading voices from across the life sciences ecosystem. The event featured contributions from high-level stakeholders including Irene Norstedt (European Commission), Artur Jarubas (Chair of the European Parliament’s SANT Committee), Emer Cooke (EMA), Dana Burduja (European Investment Bank), Niklas Blomberg (Innovative Health Initiative), Nathalie Moll (EFPIA), alongside national funding agencies, patient organisations, researchers, industry leaders, and startups. NeuroCentury’s Paweł Świeboda chaired the concluding session of the conference and serves as its rapporteur.

A Sector of Strategic Importance

Europe’s life sciences sector stands at the crossroads of societal demand, health security, and global competitiveness. It is a strategic economic pillar, generating a record €193.6 billion trade surplus in medicinal and pharmaceutical products in 2023. Research-driven pharmaceutical companies continue to reinvest more heavily in R&D than any other industry. However, speakers noted that this success story now faces strong headwinds—from geopolitical instability and intensified global competition (notably from China) to internal challenges such as regulatory fragmentation, slow clinical trial processes, and delayed product approvals.

From Overregulation to Opportunity

Despite these pressures, the atmosphere in Kraków was notably optimistic. Participants urged a shift in mindset—from viewing regulation as a barrier to recasting it as a strategic asset, offering predictability and stability. This would require eliminating inconsistencies, streamlining bureaucratic hurdles, and creating room for breakthrough innovation. Calls were made to pilot ambitious projects—such as multi-country clinical trials—through flexible coalitions of Member States ready to move ahead. Such targeted initiatives could serve as testbeds for broader EU reform.

Scaling Investment and Empowering Patients

The discussions also emphasised the need for Europe to match global investment volumes across the full product lifecycle, from early discovery to commercialisation. Crucially, this includes funding structures that support patient engagement, ensuring that innovation is aligned with real-world needs. Another key theme was collaboration—long considered one of Europe’s strengths. Realising its full potential will mean consolidating networks of innovation hubs, attracting global talent, and investing in flexible career paths, upskilling, and reskilling.

Speed, Data, and AI: The Next Leap

In the closing panel, attention turned to how Europe can leapfrog existing constraints and inject new dynamism into its life sciences ecosystem. A standout proposal: accelerating grant-making cycles—cutting the time from ideation to funding from years to months—to ensure timely support for innovation when it matters most.Participants also stressed the importance of embedding AI and data infrastructures across the R&D continuum. This includes leveraging AI for clinical trial design, patient stratification, and the development of virtual twins, as well as firmly anchoring data within innovation pipelines. An “AI for Health” vertical, echoing Mario Draghi’s vision for a future-ready Europe, was suggested as a concrete policy lever.

A Pivotal Moment for Europe

As the EU prepares to present its life sciences strategy, the Kraków discussions served as a critical milestone in shaping a collective ambition for a globally competitive, innovation-led health ecosystem. The event was a testament to the convening power and strategic foresight of Kazimierz Murzyn and the team at Klaster LifeScience Kraków, who provided the ideal setting for this pivotal exchange.