Kick-off event for the development of a pharmaceutical and medical technology strategy

Photo: Participants of the Kickoff event for the pharmaceutical and medical technology strategy – The members of BIO Deutschland: BioNTech, BioSpring, ITM Radioisotope, the promoters of Biotech, Bayer and Roche, as well as the associations managers.

On November 12, the kick-off event for the development of a pharmaceutical and medical technology strategy took place at the Federal Chancellery under the leadership of the Head of the Federal Chancellery,  Federal Minister Thorsten Frei. The German government is thus launching a comprehensive pharmaceutical and medical technology dialogue with companies, associations, self-governing bodies, social partners, research institutions, and other stakeholders. BIO Deutschland was represented at the event by board members Sylvia Wojczewski and managing director Viola Bronsema. The aim of the dialogue is to develop concrete, implementable measures by next year to improve the framework conditions for the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries.

 

Federal Minister Thorsten Frei explained: "We want to strengthen Germany as a location for pharmaceuticals and medical technology. The pharmaceutical industry and the medical technology sector are not only important for high-quality healthcare in Germany, but also make a significant contribution to the value creation and innovative strength of our economy. TheFederal Government's goal is to strengthen the pharmaceutical industry together with the medical technology sector as a leading industry. With today's launch, we have laid the foundation for this."

The kick-off event was attended by companies and associations from the pharmaceutical industry, the medical technology sector, and BIO Deutschland, as well as representatives from the scientific community and the federal government, including the relevant ministers and their representatives (BMF, BMWE, BMFTR, BMG). The following working groups are planned for the development of the strategy, which is to be completed in one year:

 

  • WG 1: Supply of patent free medicine; cross-cutting location issues, financing, security of supplies, and supply chains
  • WG 2: Digitalization, research with health data, clinical research, and AI
  • WG 3: Benefit assessment and EU-HTA
  • WG 4: Pricing and reimbursement of new medicines
  • WG 5: Biotechnology and clinical trials
  • WG 6: Medical technology and medical devices

 

Goals of the cooperation of Industry, Associations, and Government include:

  • Joint analysis of the current market situation ( framework conditions and market analysis)
  • Identification of areas requiring action and specific recommendations for action
  • Definition of clear responsibilities for implementation

 

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Input for consultation on the EU Biotech Act

 

BIO Deutschland has submitted its official response to the European Commission's public consultation on the EU Biotech Act, setting out the association's views on the future of biotechnology in Europe in various areas. Among other things, we have called for tighter regulations and simplified approval procedures. In addition, we want to see improved technology transfer and the creation of expanded joint In addition, technology transfer should be improved and an expanded joint technology infrastructure created to scale up industrial biotechnology. However, the best industry is nothing without its talent, which is why work must also be done on training and further education measures in biotechnology. In addition, the “Position paper on amending the European GMO legal framework for microorganisms” from the Industrial Bioeconomy Dialogue Platform.

The first part of the EU Biotech Act is expected in December 2025, with a second part to follow in autumn 2026. In the meantime, BIO Deutschland will work together with the umbrella organization EuropaBio to ensure that the demands of the biotechnology industry are heard and understood.

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