Europe Eyes Growth in Clinical Trials Amid US Uncertainty

The EU’s Clinical Trial Market Aims to Seize the Opportunity

Image Credits: Biospace

Opportunity

Europe’s contribution to the global clinical trial has been less over the last decade. With the change in the regulatory environment and research funding in the US, Europe could see an opportunity out of it. It is a chance to accelerate clinical trials and focus on more studies. Velocity is one of the popular clinical trial networks globally, founded in the US and further expanded to the UK and Europe. The major political shift in the US has opened doors for Europe to gather a significant amount of US investment and life science expertise.

Europe’s Shrinkage and Gain in a Blink

The pharma-sponsored trials organized within the European Economic Area diminished from 22% in 2013 to 12% in 2023, when the global clinical trial market was expanding by 38%. This decreased clinical trial placement within the EEA. Whereas, the US is dominating the clinical trial market. The investment and the quick approval of the availability of capital are helping to lead the US in the market. The uncertainty of the US is an advantage for Europe and many other regions to occupy a large share of global clinical trials.

Europe’s national governments and Brussels have bolstered their efforts, making countries attractive to approach within the EEA to large pharma and sponsors. After the EU’s clinical trials regulation 2022, oversight and clinical trial assessment contributed to the market; now an opportunity to leverage is due to the US uncertainty. Meanwhile, the US tariffs are another struggle for Europe. The US government's attempts to prohibit funding for scientific research were disrupted by EU leaders introduced the ‘Union of skills initiative.’ This initiative will design a framework and help the immigration of US researchers. The University has available postdoctoral positions for American researchers and has initiated funding.

Trumps Tariffs

Though the EU trials are approved by Trump but the tariffs will remain the same for every region. EFPIA members warned European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to apply decisive and swift policies to manufacturing, pharmaceutical research, and innovation. If not applied, the business and trials will permanently shift to the US. The EEA and the UK, with their expansion, somehow cross paths. Due to which the US policy and political charged clinical trial sector might make sponsors and pharmaceutical companies reconsider trials twice.

The EU is about to prove and challenge the US, and clarify the penalty for non-US-manufactured drugs that are liable for a tariff. Europe must uphold its commitment and acquire leadership in clinical research.