European pharma CEOs warn of biotech decline as R&D share drops to 31% and call for faster trials and stronger IP protection

Nine leading European pharma board chairs issued an open letter warning that Europe is losing its biotech edge.

They note that Europe's share of global pharma R&D fell from 43% in 1990 to 31% today, and its share of commercial clinical studies has dropped to 9%, half of what it was a decade ago.

The leaders blame policies that treat medicines as a cost, citing budget caps and slow trial processes, and they urge governments to speed up clinical trials, strengthen intellectual property protection, and provide fiscal flexibility.

The letter follows China's announcement of a five-year plan aiming for 25% of first-in-class drugs, highlighting growing competition from Asia.