The European Commission acknowledges the importance of life sciences for competitiveness across sectors, from pharmaceuticals to agriculture, energy, food and feed, and their role in driving innovation in biotechnology.

Life science innovation can help reduce Europe’s dependence on limited sustainable biomass by deploying regenerative and nature-based solutions and using biomass more efficiently, turning waste into valuable products and supporting the use of carbon from carbon capture and utilisation. Novel bio-based technologies are particularly needed to restore the environment (e.g. bioremediation) and enable a circular bioeconomy (e.g. biorefineries). Supporting the advancement of novel methodological approaches in biomanufacturing is essential, as it enhances attractiveness for industrial adoption of biotechnology.

To unlock the potential of this key sector and to position the EU as the world’s most attractive place for life sciences by 2030, the Commission developed an EU-level strategy .

The strategy proposes action in three interconnected phases:

1. Optimising the R&I ecosystem to achieve a globally competitive life science sector: by bringing together life science disciplines, stakeholders and funding as well as by strengthening support to pan-European research and technology infrastructure and optimised production processes;
2. Ensuring smooth and rapid market access for life science innovations: through more innovation friendly regulation, use of the innovation principle as well as regulatory sandboxes, and better mobilisation of private and public investments;
3. Boosting the uptake and use of life science innovation: through better means to engage with citizens to beat disinformation and build trust, and to work closer with end-users to ensure adequate solutions for their specific needs.

Several EU initiatives, including the EU startup and scaleup strategy, the upcoming EU Biotech Act and the upcoming bioeconomy strategy, will contribute to reaching the aims set out in the strategy for European life sciences.

To support life sciences research and innovation for bioeconomy solutions and sustainable management of biomass, the Commission will mobilise more than EUR 150 million under the Horizon Europe work programme 2026-2027.