14 January, 2026
The European Respiratory Society has underlined the important opportunity presented by the European Commission’s proposed Biotech Act, which could help to speed up clinical trials and support health innovation in Europe.
In a statement published on behalf of the respiratory community, ERS has emphasised the importance of the Act in enabling the innovation which will keep Europe at the cutting edge of healthcare.
Ultimately, advancing biotechnology is part of the solution to getting Europe’s respiratory burden under control. However, the Society also warns against compromising rigorous clinical validation, transparent risk assessment, and public health safeguards.
Persistent inequalities in respiratory care across Europe also emphasise the importance of equitable access as a key principle of the Act. These inequalities underline the need for EU-level coordination to promote pricing transparency, reduce division between Member States, and ensure timely access to biotech innovations – especially for those living with chronic and rare respiratory diseases.
To support the safe and effective deployment of biotech products, ERS also outlines the importance of:
- Strengthening the biotech workforce
- Ensuring access to high-quality and ethically-governed health data
- Promoting the use of real-world evidence and post-market monitoring
- Patients should also be actively involved throughout the biotech life cycle