Europe’s health systems are under intensifying pressure. Recent cyberattacks on hospitals have expanded vulnerabilities as digital health and AI transform care delivery. At the same time, Europe faces a strategic challenge: ensuring equitable and timely access to transformative health innovations in an increasingly competitive global landscape. With R&D and manufacturing shifting abroad, patient access varies sharply across member states, and demographic ageing is reshaping fiscal pressures.

Against this backdrop, the European Policy Centre (EPC) is pleased to invite you to the CHES Annual Lecture, which will take place in person at our offices at Rue du Trône 14-16, 1000 Brussels.

Taking place just after the 2 December EPSCO Council and on the same day as the anticipated publication of the European Commission’s Biotech Act, this year’s lecture offers at a timely opportunity to examine how the EU can strengthen its health sector. Dr. Niklas Blomberg, Executive Director of the Innovative Health Initiative, will provide insights into how EU public–private partnerships are driving health research and innovation across Europe. The discussion will focus on how collaboration across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology and AI is funding projects that address public health needs, improve patients’ lives and strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s health industries.

Topics will include the role of EU programmes in fostering cross-sector collaboration, shaping innovation and industrial ecosystems, and supporting innovative and resilient health systems in Europe. Special attention will be given to how these initiatives contribute to Europe’s leadership in health innovation and support the evidence pathway from research to patient-centred health solutions.

 
This event welcomes the participation of EPC member organisations, EU institutions, and media. For questions, please contact media@epc.eu.

For any other queries regarding the event, please contact events@epc.eu.