Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Why the antibiotic development pipeline remains limited Despite growing recognition of the threat, the number of new treatments in development remains insufficient to address the scale of the problem. The effectiveness of these tools depends on the infection, the organisms being tested for, and the resistance mechanisms involved. The WHO's 2025 assessments of antibacterial development and diagnostic technologies highlight the need to improve both sides of the response: developing effective treatments and strengthening the ability to identify infections and guide treatment decisions. Preserving the antibiotics already available New treatments will be essential, but they cannot replace measures designed to slow the development and spread of resistance.

Abstract

Europe's universities and public research organisations are at the forefront of scientific discovery, but breakthroughs must move from the lab to the market if they are to create jobs, growth and strategic autonomy, said EPO President António Campinos. The study presented today identifies six priorities to help Europe turn research excellence into market success." European TTOs vary widely in size, maturity and activity Of the 809 TTOs analysed, 90.5% were small or mid-scale, while 9.5% were large-scale offices. Public research is increasingly important in strategic technologies European patent applications involving a university, public research organisation or research hospital have more than doubled in the past two decades, from around 3 200 in 2006 to almost 8 000 in 2025. New tools to explore Europe's public research landscape Alongside the report, the EPO is launching a Data Desk dashboard on European public research, enabling users to explore patenting activity by country, institution and technology."

Abstract

The European Innovation Council's 2027 work programme also includes €400 million for the Scaleup Europe Fund The European Innovation Council (EIC) is set to open calls worth €1.3 billion in grants and equity next year, according to the latest draft of its 2027 work programme, which is due to be adopted in the coming weeks. Below, we summarise the key details of the 2027 calls, as well as changes made to application rules for the final year of the current programme. EIC Transition The EIC Transition, which helps to mature and further validate the results of previous EU-funded projects, is set to receive €92 million, slightly down on this year's €100 million. EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges pilot Next year will also see the launch of Stage 2 of the EIC's Advanced Innovation Challenges, a pilot initiative modelled on the approach of the US Advanced Research Projects Agencies launched with an eye on the post-2027 Horizon Europe programme.

Abstract

Established in January 2025, the alliance aims to strengthen collaboration between industry, academia, healthcare and innovative growth companies, creating better conditions for translating research and new technologies into tangible benefits for patients and society. New initiatives to support talent and business growth During the two-day meeting, discussions focused on both ongoing projects and future opportunities, including new university programmes tailored to industry needs, joint career activities and initiatives to support growing life science companies. One example is the opportunity to involve expertise from internationally leading companies such as AstraZeneca in 10xHealth, the scale-up programme established by Medicon Village and SmiLe Venture Hub to support innovative life science companies. Over the past year, the partners have organised joint seminars during Almedalen Week and engaged with regional and national policymakers on topics such as accelerating healthcare innovation, strengthening competitiveness and improving public-private collaboration.

Abstract

I saw a post a couple of weeks ago from a consultant with a huge Founder following, telling MedTech start-ups to plan for the US and EU in parallel, launch in their home market first, calling MDR faster than FDA, and wrapping up with the idea of getting an international regulatory partner to launch in the US market — as if that's a strategy. Sometimes it's the worst one you could pick, and picking it because it's comfortable is not a strategy, it's inertia. There are a lot of situations in which building for Europe's 40+ different markets — with a different reimbursement strategy for each, slow-moving capital, and a lack of proper infrastructure — can be a very bad decision for a start-up. This is a huge part of why the MedTech failure rate is what it is: Founders spend everything getting the paperwork right and have nothing left, structurally or financially, for the adoption fight that starts the day after approval.