Europe has the science to lead the world in biotech – but structural barriers are holding it back, experts say

New report from EIT Health’s Biotech Think Tank sets out what the EU Biotech Act must deliver and why the window to act is now.         

European countries have the strengths and science they need to compete with China and the US on biotech – but only a European approach through the new Biotech Act could match these countries’ scale.

A new report from EIT Health’s Think Tank has brought together 15 researchers, biotech leaders and policymakers from across Europe to provide an independent, evidence-based assessment of the structural barriers facing Europe’s health biotechnology sector.

The report identifies a persistent gap between Europe’s world class scientific output and its ability to scale health biotech companies. Fragmented clinical trial processes, a lack of early-stage funding pathways and limited talent mobility across Member States are identified as the key structural barriers holding the sector back – barriers that experts argue no single Member State can solve alone.

The findings are being shared as the EU Biotech Act enters the trilogue process with negotiations between the European Parliament, Council and Commission. The report is intended to bring together and contribute independent expert perspectives to that debate.

Christina Hertel, Head of Asset Management, EIT Health said: “Europe has the foundations for genuine global leadership in biotech. But as long as these strengths remain isolated within individual countries, we will not be able to close the longstanding gap in between biotech research and commercialisation in Europe. This report shows that integrating national efforts through the Biotech Act could unlock a positive, virtuous cycle of innovation and skills across the region. EIT Health will continue to support innovators by bringing together multi-sector networks across Europe and helping biotech start-ups to scale, but now is the time for the EU to act.”

Click here to access the EIT Health Think Tank Biotech Act report. 

Disclaimer:

This report solely represents the views of the 15 experts involved in the EIT Health working group series. The insights and solutions included in the report stem from three working group discussions organised in Brussels in early December 2025.

This report was produced for the EIT Health Think Tank by Syneos Health and funded by EIT Health.