This is also the opportunity to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), a joint technological initiative on innovative medicines promoting European cooperation between the pharmaceutical industry and scientists.
The significant research and innovation budgets available through this initiative are up for this challenge. Whereas EUR 2 billion has already been spent for the period 2008-2013; more than EUR 3 billion will be invested until 2020 to provide new solutions in the fields of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, vaccines or antibiotics. Not to mention harnessing the potential of big data for the organisation of more efficient and faster clinical trials, or the use of more clinically relevant biomarkers approved by regulators.
The patient at the heart of the projects
The Ministry of Higher Education and Research stated that it is particularly pleased to note a significant participation of Luxembourg players in IMI projects. The efforts made by the government since 2010 to strengthen the excellence of Luxembourg's biomedical research (Health Technologies Action Plan) are bearing fruit, resulting in a growing participation of the LCSB and the IBBL in IMI projects.
"The year 2018 was particularly successful in terms of funded projects, with a return of almost 6 million EUR for Luxembourg participants," said Charles Betz, the national contact point for European medical research at Luxinnovation. "The 10th anniversary celebrations are a great opportunity to look back on these past successes and look forward to the future."
"Knowing that the development of medicines requires the increasing integration of new technologies, in particular portable medical devices, digital applications and other artificial intelligence platforms, in the future by industrial players, in particular SMEs: we have certain assets in this field," predicted Françoise Liners, Head of Health Technologies Directorate at the Ministry of the Economy and Luxembourg representative in the State Representative Group of IMI.
Thus, the international conference "IMI Networking Event - Pharma meets Academia" of 14 December will focus on the topic of medical data valuation and sustainability. Il will allow all stakeholders - academics, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, financing experts - to highlight the actions of the European Union and pharmaceutical companies and lay the groundwork for potential future cooperation.