English
SFEE welcomes the launch of the second Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI 2) and invites its members to actively participate
PRESS RELEASE
• A budget of €3.3 billion for health research – a 50% increase relative to IMI 1
• New Strategic Research Agenda is based on World Health Organization priorities and places strong emphasis on the needs of patients and society, and speeding up patient access to new treatments
• Diabetes and eye diseases topics of €49 million first IMI 2 EUR call for proposals
Athens, 9 July 2014 – As part of its ongoing efforts to deliver innovative solutions to patients, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), of which SFEE has been a member since 1983, announced today the launch by the European Commission of the second Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI 2), marking the continuation of the successful partnership of industry and public bodies in tackling some of the world’s greatest health challenges.
IMI is a public-private partnership (PPP) between the European Commission and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). The first phase of IMI (IMI 1) was established with a budget of €2 billion for the period 2008-2017.Under the new EU framework programme Horizon 2020, the IMI 2 will continue the largest PPP in Europe with an even bigger budget of about €3.3 billion, by bringing together the pharmaceutical industry, European regulators, academic health research partners and patients to advance scientific research and development for a healthy European society.
IMI 2 aims to advance trends in personalised treatments and medications, to further support R&D in areas of unmet medical need and to address the regulatory content with a view to speeding up transition from research to innovation. SFEE and EFPIA particularly welcome the Commission proposal’s intent to cut the red tape that can impede progress of EU research, an essential step in improving patient access to innovative products in Europe.
The President of SFEE, Mr. Konstantinos Frouzis, stated: “The previous IMI projects have shown how cooperation in the field of research can lead us forward in our quest for answers to major public health needs. I am convinced that the partnership of trust established among healthcare stakeholders will bring about benefits that will change the game in favour of patients and society. Our goal is to ensure that our country can take advantage of the opportunities offered by this programme and support further cooperation between pharmaceutical companies and research institutions on the pillars of the Innovative Medicines Initiative”. Mr Frouzis added: “Now is the time to seize the moment and go on to expand our vision. We must focus not only on how we can improve innovation but also on how to improve patient access to innovation. Public and private partnerships (PPPs) can help us along the way”.
The Innovative Medicines Initiative is undoubtedly a success story. IMI projects have already shown a positive impact on research and development: By pooling resources, the NEWMEDS project has created the largest known database of studies on schizophrenia. The New Drugs for Bad Bugs (ND4BB) has launched projects to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance – a growing public health threat. The eTox project is developing a drug safety database, using both pharmaceutical industry and public toxicology data, in a step towards greater safety for patients.
These are just a few of the many success stories that serve to exemplify what IMI is about: supporting research through partnerships that can speed up the development of new medicines to address public health problems in areas where there are unmet needs.
About EFPIA
EFPIA represents the pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. Through its direct membership of 33 national associations and 40 leading pharmaceutical companies, EFPIA provides the voice of 1,900 companies committed to researching, developing and bringing new medicines to improve health and quality of life around the world. The pharmaceutical industry invests 30 billion on research and development per year in Europe and directly employs 700,000 people including 116,000 in R&D units in Europe.
EFPIA members are committed to delivering innovative medicines to address unmet needs of patients and reducing the burden of chronic diseases for Europe’s ageing population. EFPIA believes in close cooperation with its members to help create sustainable healthcare systems and to develop prompt responses to health threats in Europe.
About SFEE
The Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE) is a non-profit association with 69 members (31 domestic and 38 multinational pharmaceutical companies) representing almost 95% of the pharmaceutical market in Greece. It was established in 1982 and during these years has pursued policies that promote the shared interests of citizens, the State and pharmaceutical companies.
By formulating and advocating strong and well-founded positions, SFEE makes a crucial contribution to promoting public health. In recent years, with its initiatives, policy proposals and public interventions, SFEE has established itself as an equal and reliable partner of the State.
European Commission press release and memo
IMI2 social media pack
(suggestions for how you might want to Tweet and engage via social media)
List of additional communication materials
(eg blogs / videos and relevant links)
A blog that from Paul-Peter Tak
(GSK and Chair or EFPIA’s Research Directors Group)
Key messages for IMI: NB – this document is not for wider distribution in full and the content should be used selectively and as required / appropriate