European Biopharma at a Crossroads: Strategic Autonomy, Competitiveness, and Patient Access
In an era marked by geopolitical tensions and accelerating innovation in Asia, market access for biopharmaceuticals is a cornerstone of future innovation, with far-reaching implications for both social protection systems and industrial policy. Tariffs, export controls, re-shoring strategies, localization requirements, technology restrictions etc. are rapidly redrawing the global biopharma landscape.
Against this backdrop, a central question emerges: how can patient access to innovative medicines be ensured in an increasingly fragmented world?
Professor Bouteiller will open the session by mapping the shifting “tectonic plates” of the global biopharma ecosystem, examining how investment, innovation, and market access are evolving across the United States, Europe, and China. Drawing on concrete examples, he will highlight how policy environment is evolving and some leading companies are adapting their strategies to navigate this new global order.
The panel discussion will then explore the specific challenges facing European biopharma companies, from pricing pressure a to competitiveness and supply-chain resilience. It aims to identify pragmatic solutions that balance three objectives often seen as competing:
- strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy,
- sustaining industrial competitiveness and innovation, and
- safeguarding equitable and timely patient access to medicines.
With :
- Prof. Eric Bouteiller (Eric Bouteiller | LinkedIn), adjunct professor of management at CEIBS (www.CEIBS.edu). He holds a PhD in organizational sociology and was a researcher at HEC Eurasia Institute before becoming deputy director (1990-2001). He then joined Ipsen Pharma where he held the position of China general manager and senior vice president Asia (2001-2017). During his career he has held senior roles in several industry organizations: French national trade advisor (since 2007), chairperson of Tianjin chapter of European Union chamber of commerce in China (EUCCC) (2008-2011). In 2013, he founded the French healthcare alliance (FHA) in China and was its chairperson (2013-2014). He was also vice-chair (2011-2015) and chair (2016-2017) of R&D-based pharmaceutical association committee (RDPAC). Eric research mainly focuses on corporate strategy, market access and public policies for pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. He has recently co-authored with Annie Chicoye a global reference book : The Fundamentals of Market Access for Pharmaceuticals, Anthem Press, 290 p.
- Elizabeth Robinson, Vice Chairman Indaco Ventures. Indaco Venture Partners is Italy’s largest independent venture capital firm, specializing in scaling deep-tech and life science innovations through dedicated vehicles like the Indaco Bio Fund. Elizabeth Robinson, Co-founder and Vice Chairman, brings over 30 years of expertise in drug development and international licensing to the firm. Her leadership bridge-links early-stage academic research with the capital necessary to reach clinical milestones. At this round table, they represent the vital role of private investment in securing Europe’s strategic autonomy by fostering a self-sustaining biopharma ecosystem that ensures both global competitiveness and faster patient access to breakthrough therapies.
Round table followed by a networking reception