How is the EU boosting support for innovation in the health sector?

A laboratory in France's southern port city of Marseille has opened its doors to new, state-of-the-art therapies against cancer.

Some 200 people work here, in what is called "cancer immunotherapy." Their objective is to induce our own immune systems to recognise and eliminate tumour cells.  

"What we do is to stimulate the immune system, which is the body's set of defences against viruses, bacteria, but also against cancer," explained Eric Vivier, the Scientific Director at Innate Pharma.

"We try to stimulate this immune system so that in return, it can take care of cancer. All cancers; whether leukemia, lymphoma or solid tumors."

Founded in 1999, the company is developing a number of oncology treatments. One of them, against lung cancer, is already in phase three of its clinical trials - edging ever closer to its final authorisation.

Like in other European SMEs, innovation is the ultimate goal. But the road is long and often winding.

"The development of a medicine is a very long process, which in the best case can last around ten years," Innate Pharma's CEO, Mondher Mahjoubi told Smart Health.

"It is an expensive process. A product that goes from preclinical to market, costs at least €1 billion. And finally, it's a risky process, in the sense that the failure rate is extremely high. Out of 100 molecules selected, there are four or five that make it."

This company is actively contributing to the €37 billion annual research investments and around 800,000 direct jobs that pharmaceutical innovation is creating in Europe.

Yet the European Union keeps losing ground against other innovative superpowers.  

In the period 2011-2015, there were 89 new chemical and biological entities made in the United States. By 2016-2020, that number had