EFPIA, the voice of the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Europe, welcomes the launch of the European Commission’s new Framework for Research and Innovation: Horizon 2020.

“The European Commission should be commended for their intention to further develop public-private partnerships (PPP). There is shared understanding that private companies and public bodies must collaborate more and to think about new business models which allow us to work much more quickly to meet unmet needs," said Richard Bergström, director general of EFPIA.

He added: “EFPIA confirms industry interest in continuing public private collaborations which will enable game changing biopharmaceutical research projects that address scientific and technological bottlenecks in areas with grand societal challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance. Such PPPs in life sciences will clearly contribute to the three cornerstones of the Commission proposal: excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges.”

Horizon 2020 will be the EU’s funding instrument to implement the Innovation Union. This framework is part of the European Commission’s proposed European Union budget for the period 2014 to 2020. Horizon 2020 is designed to last until the end of this decade.