European research for a healthier future.
Date: 2008-07-11
Institutions: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Subjects: EU research policy, bio-ethics, biotechnology, infectious disease, public health, research and development, scientific cooperation

EUROPEAN
RESEARCH

FOR A HEALTHIER 
FUTURE 

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Interested in European research? 

Research*eu is our monthly magazine keeping you in touch with main developments (results, programmes, events, etc.). 

It is available in English, French, German and Spanish. A free sample copy or free subscription can be obtained from:

European Commission 

Directorate-General for Research

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E-mail: research-eu@ec.europa.eu

Internet: http://ec.europa.eu/research/research-eu

Acknowledgement

This publication would not have been possible without the support of colleagues from the Health Directorate. 

Head of Unit for Horizontal Aspects and Coordination: Stéphane Hogan; Coordinator for Communication: Josefina Enfedaque.  

Aziza Haas

Editor/Contact 

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Directorate-General for Research

Directorate  F — Health
Unit F1 — Horizontal Aspects and Coordination

Office CDMA 2/181

B-1049 Brussels

Tel. (32-2) 29-52893

Fax (32-2) 29-95888

e-mail: Aziza.Haas@ec.europa.eu

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

EUROPEAN
RESEARCH

FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE 

2008

Directorate-General for Research

FP7 Cooperation / Health

Table of contents

Introduction 

Chapter I:  

Genomics and systems biology 

Chapter II:   Medical research 

Chapter III:  

Infectious diseases 

Chapter IV:   Public health 

Chapter V:   Health biotechnology 

Health research focus pages 

International scientific cooperation 

Ethics 

Small and medium-sized enterprises 

Innovative Medicines Initiative 

Promoting health across generations 

From evaluation to management 

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44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Why health research 
matters

Human beings are insatiably curious creatures, and research and development (R&D) are fine expressions 
of this curiosity. R&D has transformed our lives, and will continue to do so in the future. In the health sector, 
this translates into breakthrough research to treat, cure or, better yet, prevent disease. 

In the European Union we are determined to play our part in these efforts, joining forces with partners in 
both developed and developing countries to support R&D in the health sector. The European Union provides 
considerable  financial  support  in  this  area,  mostly  through  Cooperation  under  the  Seventh  Framework 
Programme  for  research  and  technological  development  (FP7).  EU  funding  serves  to  connect  European 
scientists  of  the  highest  level  of  excellence  in  order  to  consolidate  Europe’s  position  as  a  global  market 
leader in health research. 

We  need  collaborative,  cross-disciplinary  research  both  within  Europe  and  beyond  its  borders.  The 
European Research Area (ERA) should give researchers opportunities to forge key partnerships in Europe 
and abroad, to work together to transfer knowledge, and to contribute to global sustainable development. 
Such partnerships also give European health-related industries a considerable edge.

The  outcomes  of  the  health  research  in  the  EU  inform  and  inspire  its  policies.  The  way  in  which  health 
research is translated into policy has crucial implications for the effectiveness of local, national and regional 
health  initiatives.  The  EU  is  making  the  best  possible  use  of  the  scientific  information  at  its  disposal  in 
shaping its policies.

This brochure presents the main areas where the European Union is funding research to improve human 
health. It is intended as a general introduction, outlining priorities, showcasing achievements and referring 
to further sources of information. We are proud of the quality of our projects and happy to serve Europe and 
the world through the exciting adventure of science. Thanks to all those who make it possible. 

Janez Potočnik
European Commissioner for Science and Research

Health needs collaborative research

Few  of  us  realise  the  scope  of  resources  invested  and  efforts 
mobilised to protect us from sickness or to nurture us back to good 
health.  Whilst  it  is  true  that  our  health  is  often  taken  for  granted, 
we always realise how precious it is whenever it is compromised or 
threatened. Governments and health authorities the world over have 
the responsibility to safeguard people. And rightly so. The health of 
a  nation’s  population  underpins  its  social,  cultural  and  economic 
prosperity. It is the key to progress. 

Investments in research are vital if Europe is to maintain its position 
as a health care provider and as one of the global leaders in medical 
research. By pursuing excellence in research, education and innovation, 
Europe is both ensuring the well-being of citizens and creating new 
knowledge.  The  application  of  medical  knowledge  will  no  doubt 
strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in the global marketplace. 

The  EU’s  commitment  to  health  research  has  translated  into  the 
allocation of over EUR 6 billion to this area under the ‘Cooperation’ 
theme  of  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme  for  research  and 
technological development (FP7), established for the period 2007 to 
2013. This represents a significant injection into European science 
and technology for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control 
of  disease.  It  is  designed  to  boost  the  capacity  for  innovation  of 
health research in Europe. This investment will support a range of 
research activities and initiatives during FP7, with a particular focus 
on health biotechnology, translational research and the optimisation 
of health care delivery to citizens, as well as providing support to 
address EU policy needs. 

Compared to earlier framework programmes, health research under 
FP7  is  characterised  by  greater  emphasis  on  translating  basic 
knowledge into clinical applications, including the scientific validation 
of experimental results. Besides the disease-oriented priority areas, 
some  overarching  issues,  such  as  child  health,  the  health  of  the 
ageing  population  and  gender-related  medical  aspects  have  also 
been identified as strategic targets for European research. 

EU-funded  research  projects  typically  include  many  scientists 
from  different  European  and  associated  countries.  They  work  in 
universities, research centres, hospitals, companies and associations, 
collaborating  with  ambitious  objectives  that  would  be  impossible 
to  achieve  for  a  single  group  or  a  single  country.  In  recognition  of 
the  potential  of  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises  (SMEs)  in  the 
European  research  landscape,  tailor-made  measures  have  been 
put in place to facilitate their participation in the projects. Moreover, 
as global health challenges require actions at the level of the global 
research community, the scope for international cooperation has also 
been extended. All activities are shaped by an explicit commitment 
to ethics and to excellence, which is reflected in the strict evaluation 
processes applied in order to select only the best research projects, 
with the help of top-class international experts.

This  brochure  provides  a  brief  overview  of  the  objectives  and  the 
scope of EU-funded health research. Specific chapters are devoted 
to  genomics  and  systems  biology,  medical  research,  infectious 
diseases  and  epidemics,  public  health  and  health  biotechnology. 
Dedicated  focus  pages  explore  the  overarching  issues  applicable 
across the theme.

A snapshot of the various activities taking place in Europe is, however, 
all  we  can  provide  in  this  publication.  Further  information  on  EU-
funded health research is available from our websites, publications 
and information services. We look forward to hearing from you.

Manuel Hallen
Acting Director for Health 
Directorate-General for Research

Introduction 

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European health research 
in FP7: three pillars

Biotechnology, generic tools and medical technologies 
for human health 

n 
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n 
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High-throughput research
Detection, diagnosis and monitoring
Prediction of suitability, safety and efficacy of therapies
Innovative therapeutic approaches and interventions

Translating research for human health

n 
n 

n 
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Integration of biological data and processes
Research on the brain and related diseases, human development 
and ageing
Research on infectious diseases
Research on major diseases: cancer, cardiovascular disease, 
diabetes/obesity, rare diseases, other chronic diseases

Optimising the delivery of health care to European citizens

n 

n 
n 

Translation of clinical outcome into clinical practice,
including better use of medicines
Quality, efficiency and solidarity of health care systems
Enhanced health promotion and disease prevention

In addition, cross-cutting actions include:

n  
n  

Support for health research
Responding to EU policy needs

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Introduction

 
 
 
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Genomics and 
systems biology 

Examples of completed genomes

Organism

Human 

Mouse 

Fruit fly 

Round worm
nematode

Estimated number of genes

25 000 

25 000 

13 600 

19 100

Number of chromosomes

46 

40 

8 

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What are genomics 
and systems biology?

The  three  billion  ‘letters’  that  make  up  our  genetic  code  or  genome  contain  all  the 
information needed to turn a fertilised egg into an adult human being. Thanks to the 
human genome project, we now know the sequence of the letters. The next challenge 
lies in discovering the function of all our 25 000 genes and understanding how the 
human genome works.  

Genomics  researchers  are  drawing  on  new  scientific  tools  to  investigate  in  minute 
detail the function of every single stretch of our DNA. For example, if a stretch of DNA 
is identified as a gene which codes for a certain protein, researchers will investigate 
the structure of the protein and its function in the body. As a result of these advances, 
research  is  entering  a  new  era  with  proteomics,  a  discipline  aiming  at  the  detailed 
study of our proteins, the building blocks of our cells.

Early results from these exciting new fields of research have already challenged estab-
lished views about the nature of the genome. For example, it was once thought that a 
large proportion of our genome was inactive ‘junk DNA’. However, we now know that 
many regions once thought of as junk are in fact regulatory sequences, which are respon-
sible for telling genes whether or not to be active. This is important for health research as 
mutations in regulatory sequences have been implicated in a number of diseases.

The  rise  of  genomics  has  also  played  a  role  in  moving  biological  research  towards 
a  more  systems-based  approach  as  large  amounts  of  data  began  to  be  available. 
Researchers  are  increasingly  realising  that  our  bodies  cannot  easily  be  subdivided 
into  individual,  independent  components.  Rather,  genes,  proteins,  cells  and  organs 
interact with each other and the environment in numerous, complex ways.

Systems biology aims to shed new light on these interactions, which are vital for the 
holistic understanding of many major diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. In this 
new  era  of  biology,  scientists  combine  data  from  different  disciplines  into  biological 
models with the power of computer science, mathematics or engineering to under-
stand the phenomena of life. 

A surprising result of the human genome sequencing experiments is that only a 
very small proportion (less than 2 %) of the entire genome encodes for proteins. 
What may be hiding behind the remaining 98 % of the human genome?

Systems biology studies the phenomena of life in a holistic way. 

Genomics and systems biology

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New tools — new data
for new fields of research

When  researchers  first  started  investigating  the  human  genome, 
analysing  the  sequence  of  a  stretch  of  DNA  and  working  out  its  role 
was  a  long,  slow  process.  Now,  new  tools  and  technologies  for  high-
throughput research are helping researchers speed up this process and, 
crucially, handle the vast amounts of data created.

The microarray

One important tool of the genomics technologies is the microarray, which 
is also known as a nucleic acid array or a DNA chip. In a microarray, thou-
sands of DNA molecules are distributed as ‘spots’ on the surface of a piece 
of  glass  or  plastic.  A  solution  containing  fluorescently  labelled  DNA  from 
specific cells, such as malignant tumours, is then poured over the array. 
If a DNA molecule in a solution finds a ‘matching’ partner on the surface, 
they pair up and the activity level of that gene can be measured by the 
intensity of the fluorescent marker on that spot. In this way, researchers are 
able to identify the activity of many genes involved in diseases. A similar 
array can be used to study the proteins present in a healthy or diseased 
cell. The applications of these new high-throughput technologies are es-
sential for the identification of potential novel genes involved in diseases.

Bioinformatics

The research tools outlined above are capable of generating vast amounts 
of data, very quickly, ranging from gene sequences and protein structures 
to experimental results and patient statistics. Bioinformatics involves de-
veloping the computing tools necessary to manage and analyse this sea 
of information.

Biobanks

Biobanks consist of tissue samples from a broad cross section of people 
coupled  with  information  on  their  lifestyle  and  medical  history.  With 
biobanks, scientists can identify the small differences in our genetic make-
up which are linked not only to our physical characteristics, but also to our 
chances of developing certain diseases or reacting to certain drugs.

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Genomics and systems biology

Model organisms

Despite outward appearances, mice, 
zebra fish and nematode worms have 
many genes with a human equivalent. 
By  studying  these  genes  in  these 
animal  models,  scientists  can  learn 
a  great  deal  about  human  health.  A 
common  technique  involves  ‘knock-
ing out’ and hence inactivating a spe-
cific  gene  to  determine  the  impact 
this has on the organism.

Structural genomics

The way in which molecules such as 
proteins  and  ribonucleic  acids  (DNA, 
RNA)  interact  with  one  another  and 
with other molecules such as drugs is 
determined by their three-dimensional 
(3D)  structure.  Structural  genomics 
researchers  use  a  range  of  imaging 
techniques to study the 3D structure 
of  these  molecules.  These  include 
firing  high-intensity  X-ray  beams  at 
crystallised proteins and studying the 
structure  and  dynamics  of  proteins 
resonance 
with  nuclear  magnetic 
(NMR) 
Meanwhile, 
advances in electron microscopy are 
now  enabling  researchers  to  view 
proteins in their working environment 
in unprecedented detail.

methods. 

EU-funded projects 
on genomics and systems biology

APO-SYS — 
Using a systems biology approach to study cancer and AIDS

When  our  cells  age  or  become  damaged,  our  bodies  destroy  them  in  a  process  called  apoptosis,  or 
programmed cell death. This is a perfectly normal process, and in a healthy adult, millions of cells may 
undergo apoptosis every second. However, in certain diseases, the apoptotic process breaks down, with 
disastrous  results.  In  cancer,  it  is  the  suppression  of  apoptosis  that  allows  malignant  cells  to  thrive.  In 
AIDS, in contrast, the apoptosis speeds up, killing off our immune cells faster than they can be replaced.

The ‘Apoptosis systems biology applied to cancer and AIDS’ (APO-SYS) project is using the latest re-
search tools to study cell death both in the lab and in animal models such as fruit flies and mice. The proj-
ect is also analysing clinical samples from patients with cancer and AIDS. The results of these experiments 
are being fed into computer models, which will be able to predict the likelihood of apoptosis in different 
situations. The project results will boost doctors’ understanding of clinical data and hopefully lead to the 
development of new diagnostic tools and drugs to treat these serious diseases.

For further information, see http://www.apo-sys.eu

EDICT — Picturing membrane proteins

EUCOMM — Studying human health through mice

Membrane proteins are our cells’ gatekeepers; they decide what is allowed in and out, and some of 
them are capable of converting light energy into chemical energy. They play a key role in every process 
in the body. Faulty membrane proteins have been implicated in diseases as diverse as diabetes, heart 
disease, epilepsy, depression, osteoporosis, stomach ulcers and cataracts. In addition to this, patho-
gens such as bacteria and parasites also rely on interactions with membrane proteins for their survival. 
However, our current understanding of membrane proteins is poor.

The ‘European drug initiative for channels and transporters’ (EDICT) project is using advanced imaging 
techniques to investigate the structure of some 80 membrane proteins involved in a range of diseases. 
High-resolution images coupled with sophisticated computational methods are helping the researchers 
to identify new drug targets. 

Over 90 % of mouse genes have a human equivalent, making mice ideal model organ-
isms for the study of human health and diseases. Using ‘knock-out’ techniques, the 
‘European conditional mouse mutagenesis program’ (EUCOMM) is creating a ‘library’ 
of mouse stem cells, each of which contains a mutation in one of the mouse’s 20 000 
genes. With these cells, any laboratory can make mouse mutants in a standardised, 
cost-effective way. Crucially, the system is set up in such a way that researchers can 
switch the genes off in individual organs or at a given phase of development. This is 
important because certain genes have different functions in different tissues at differ-
ent times. 

For further information, see http://www.eucomm.org

Genomics and systems biology

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HYPERGENES — Using population genetics 
to study blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a serious condition which affects a 
large proportion of the population, and is a major factor in heart disease 
and stroke. The HYPERGENES project is applying the latest genomics 
tools to 4 000 people to identify the genes responsible for hypertension 
and  tease  out  their  complicated  interactions  with  each  other  and  the 
environment.

The data gathered is being used to develop a simple, inexpensive diag-
nostic chip which will help to identify those most at risk of developing high 
blood pressure. Furthermore, as hypertension is recognised as a common 
complex disorder, the findings of the HYPERGENES project will be of use 
to researchers trying to disentangle the factors involved in other diseases.

For further information, see http://www.hypergenes.eu

GEHA — Using genomics tools 
to understand the ageing process

With the ageing of Europe’s population, there is growing interest in research 
which  will  help  us  reach  advanced  age  in  good  physical  and  cognitive 
health. The ‘Genetics of healthy ageing’ (GEHA) project is analysing over 
2 500 pairs of brothers and sisters from around Europe who have reached 
the grand old age of 90, along with a group of younger control subjects. 

The scientists are using genomics tools to hunt down genes and gene 
variants linked to age-related diseases and disabilities.

‘There is so much we still don’t know about the effect of genes on the 
development of our major diseases. Research like this gives hope to 
many of those suffering serious illnesses and their families.’

For further information, see http://www.geha.unibo.it

Janez Potočnik

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Genomics and systems biology

Health research focus:

International scientific cooperation

Connecting the research community, worldwide

Improving  public  health  and  the  delivery  of  health  care,  tackling 
disease, coping with epidemics — all countries, everywhere in the 
world, are confronted with health challenges. And, as disease knows 
no  borders,  all  countries  potentially  stand  to  benefit  when  major 
breakthroughs are made. 

As one of the world leaders in health research, the EU has been en-
couraging  international  cooperation  to  achieve  such  breakthroughs 
for  decades.  Successive  framework  programmes  have  increasingly 
emphasised the need to bring together complementary competencies 
from around the world and foster constructive collaborations across 
borders to optimise the results of R&D efforts. 

Since  2002,  the  EU’s  research  framework  programmes  have 
provided  opportunities  for  international  cooperation  with  countries 
that are neither EU Member States nor associated to the framework 
programmes.  All  health  research  topics  are  now  open  to  such 
cooperation, which in fact is mandatory in some cases. The Health 
theme  under  FP7  has  the  objective  to  support  research  aimed  at 
improving people’s health and boosting the competitiveness of health-
related industries. Furthermore, it addresses global health issues.

Project  consortia  are  invited  to  include  research  partners  from 
around  the  world,  including  International  Cooperation  Partner 
Countries  (ICPCs)  and  countries  with  scientific  and  technological 
(S&T) cooperation agreements with the EU. International cooperation 
under FP7 is unique in that its focus, besides combining global S&T 
activities, is to bring thematic and geographical goals to fruition. A 
number  of  third  countries  have  already  taken  a  step  forward  and 
created  contact  points  which  develop  and  strengthen  knowledge 
transfer and networks with the scientific communities within the EU. 

The  EU  is  also  using  its  good  standing  in  international  organisa-
tions  such  as  the  World  Health  Organization  to  raise  awareness, 
promote  common  interests,  foster  scientific  excellence  and  con-
tribute to shared global commitments such as the Millennium De-
velopment Goals (MDGs). These efforts in science diplomacy are 
other  vital  contributions  to  creating  partnerships  and  intensifying 
collaborations  with  researchers  around  the  world.  Thus,  interna-
tional cooperation has the objectives of supporting European sci-
entific and economic development through strategic partnerships 
with  third  countries  and  also  addressing  specific  problems  that 
third countries face or that have a global character.

For further information, see http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/health/international-cooperation_en.html 

Health research focus: International scientific cooperation 

14

International cooperation in FP7: four avenues

1)   A general opening of all topics to any country

Research entities from third countries have been encouraged to participate in EU-
funded health research projects since the beginning of the previous framework 
programme. FP7 aims to intensify this particular strand of cooperation. Research 
entities from any country are potentially eligible under any health research topic.

2)   Specific International Cooperation Actions (SICAs)

SICAs  explicitly  address  health  issues  requiring  cooperation  with  particular  re-
gions or countries. Topics are chosen in view of the characteristics, priorities and 
needs of these regions or countries. SICA projects are based on the principles of 
partnership and dialogue; the involvement of at least two participants from ICPCs 
is mandatory. Key research areas for health-related SICAs include MDG-related 
research topics such as maternal and child health, reproductive health, neglected 
infectious diseases, and health systems and health policy.

3)   Coordinated topics with certain third countries

This strand, introduced under FP7, allows for co-financing between the European 
Commission  and  funding  authorities  in  other  countries.  Topics  are  defined 
jointly with research and funding agencies in the target countries. In this type of 
approach, projects include a roughly equal number of participants from the EU or 
associated countries and from the cooperating country. 
4)   Programme-level cooperation with industrialised countries

This type of cooperation, which involves coordination with other funding agen-
cies notably in the planning of calls, aims to support individually funded projects 
working towards a common goal. This option is particularly useful for very large 
projects which no individual region or country could reasonably be expected to 
take on single-handedly. The unity of such projects is secured through purpose-
built management and reporting procedures, but in fact such projects essentially 
involve two separate initiatives.

European & developing countries 
clinical trials partnership — EDCTP

The EDCTP, as an innovative model for product development public-private partner-
ship, co-finances projects in vaccine and drug development, where African and Euro-
pean academia and pharmaceutical industry are equal partners. While supported by 
DG Research to the tune of EUR 200 million, it operates as an autonomous body and 
publishes its own calls. 

For more information, see http://www.edctp.org

AsiaFluCap: 
Building the capacity to deal 
with pandemic influenza

Avian  flu  and  the  highly  pathogenic  H5N1 
virus  have  been  headline  news  for  several 
years — with good reason, considering the 
dire consequences of successive outbreaks 
in  Asia  and  around  the  world.  And,  in  the 
wake of sporadic cases of human infection, 
concerns about the emergence of a human 
form of the virus have also been growing.

This  latest  challenge  is  a  new  battle  in 
mankind’s  ongoing  war  against  an  age-
old  enemy.  Seasonal  influenza  epidemics 
are estimated to claim more than a quarter 
of a million lives worldwide every year, and 
they also translate into substantial financial 
losses for national economies. 

respond 

to  pandemic 

The  EU  has  been  supporting  influenza 
research  since  2001  and  has  shortlisted 
an initial round of 11 collaborative projects 
to  pursue  this  effort  under  the  current 
framework  programme.  ‘Health  system 
analysis to support capacity development 
to 
influenza 
in  Asia’  (AsiaFluCap)  is  one  of  these 
projects.  Funded  for  a  period  of  three 
years,  it  brings  together  partners  from 
Germany,  Indonesia,  the  Netherlands, 
Taiwan,  Thailand,  the  United  Kingdom 
and  Vietnam.  The  partners  will  develop 
a  framework  enabling  them  to  evaluate 
a  health  system’s  operational  capacity 
to  contain  and  mitigate  a  hypothetical 
outbreak  of  pandemic  influenza.  This 
framework  will  then  be  used  to  identify 
capacity  gaps  and  areas  for  action  in 
Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Health research focus: International scientific cooperation

 
 
 
 
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Medical research

Many families in Europe, indeed many families around the world, will have first-hand ex-
perience of the tragic consequences of major diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular 
disease, neurological conditions or diabetes at some point in their lives. Cancer, to take 
one example, claimed about 1.7 million lives in 2006 in Europe alone. Other diseases, 
both infectious and non-infectious, compound the heavy burden on societies and health 
care systems around the world.

Medical  research  is  unceasing  in  its  efforts  to  identify  means  of  prevention,  improve 
diagnostics, explore promising avenues for new medicines and therapies, and assess 
their efficacy. Significantly increased patient survival rates for many types of cancer bear 
testimony to the potential of this particular area of research, and work on other major 
diseases has delivered similar success stories. However, many significant leads remain 
to  be  investigated,  and  research,  powered  by  technological  and  medical  progress,  is 
regularly uncovering new clues. Once discoveries are made, further effort is needed to 
translate them into marketable products and introduce them to clinical practice. 

EU funding is supporting many of the world’s leading projects determined to tackle this 
challenge. This financial backing enables research entities to pool their expertise and 
resources, across borders and across competencies, to pursue lines of research that 
individual entities could not reasonably be expected to address on their own. 

Diabetes and obesity

In  Europe,  at  least  25  million  people  are  estimated  to  suffer  from  diabetes.  Precise 
figures are, however, very difficult to ascertain, as many cases remain undiagnosed. 
A serious disease in itself, which can reduce a patient’s life expectancy, diabetes also 
raises  the  risk  of  developing  cardiovascular  disease.  Despite  significant  progress  in 
the management of the disease, diabetes has been gaining ground over the past two 
decades.  This  fact  is  largely  attributed  to  a  similarly  sharp  rise  in  the  prevalence  of 
obesity, which is known to be linked to the more common form of diabetes.

The EU’s research efforts in this area are twofold, with one strand studying the aetiology, 
prevention and treatment of the different types of diabetes and another investigating the 
genetic, lifestyle and epidemiological aspects of obesity.

Medical research

18

Upgrading clinical practice in the fight 
against cancer

Aetiology, prevention, diagnosis, therapy: every new insight gained on the origins and progres-
sion of a disease like cancer is potentially life-changing for millions. Knowledge of the enemy 
is a key asset in this as in any other battle, provided this knowledge is exploitable for practitio-
ners and patients as quickly as possible. 

Collaborative  projects  across  the  EU  are  working  to  deliver  updates  on  disease  aetiology, 
new medicines and therapies, better methods of prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, 
and a clearer view of the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Their findings will feed into 
strategies  aiming  to  prevent  primary  and  secondary  cancers,  improve  the  standard  of  care 
available to patients and their quality of life, and ultimately reduce the incidence of cancer.

Breast cancer, a disease which one in nine women in the developed world will face in her life-
time, is one of the areas where health research is expected to make a spectacular difference. 
If detected early and treated in quality-assured, specialist breast cancer units, 90 % of these 
cancers could be treated successfully. Breakthroughs in our understanding of the best ways 
to prevent, diagnose and treat this disease will help to save more lives.

Making sure that existing therapies are used to the best effect is just as important. TRANS-
BIG, a Network of Excellence dedicated to ‘Translating molecular knowledge into early breast 
cancer management: building on the Breast International Group (BIG) network for improved 
treatment tailoring’, has been focusing on this particular area of cancer research since March 
2004.  This  project,  which  involves  39  leading  institutions  in  21  countries,  was  spurred  into 
action  by  the observation  that  breast  cancer  develops  very  differently in  individual  patients, 
and that a better understanding of the disease would help to pinpoint the best possible treat-
ment for specific cases. One of the network’s main assets lies in its close cooperation with the 
Breast International Group, an existing network of groups conducting clinical breast cancer 
research in 36 countries.

TRANSBIG’s research into the precise genetic make-up of individual tumours will help to assess 
the risk of the patient’s cancer returning after surgery and its likely response to different types of 
follow-on treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Follow-on treatment may not be 
necessary in all cases, and where it is required, molecular knowledge can help to identify the 
most promising options. This possibility would not only improve the effectiveness of the therapy, 
but also reduce the burden of over-treatment — as currently experienced by an estimated 12 % 
to 20 % of patients — on the patient herself and on the health care system.

For further information, see http://www.breastinternationalgroup.org

19

Medical research

For further information, see
http://plab.ku.dk/promemoria and
http://www.memstick.org

Understanding the brain

The human brain may be mankind’s biggest asset, but it is also one of nature’s greatest 
mysteries. Diseases affecting the brain can have devastating consequences not just on the 
physical health of those affected, but also on their behaviour and personality. And, as the 
vulnerability to some forms of neurological disease increases with age, the need to tackle 
them becomes ever more pressing in the face of Europe’s changing demographics.

The EU is encouraging further research into the integrated structure and dynamics of the 
brain, the neurological and psychiatric diseases or disorders that may affect them, and 
regenerative and restorative approaches to treating such dysfunctions. New insights in 
these areas will help to improve diagnostics, enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic ap-
proaches, and also drive the development of innovative brain-machine interfaces. 

Promemoria,  one  of  Europe’s  landmark  projects  in  this  field,  was  launched  in  April 
2005 to explore the role of cell recognition processes in brain plasticity, learning and 
memory. The project’s work is expected to lead to the formulation of compounds that 
will help to treat diseases involving cognitive impairment. In the western world, cogni-
tive impairment affects 6 % to 10 % of the population aged 66 and over, for example in 
the context of Alzheimer’s disease. It can, of course, also appear in other age groups. 
Unfortunately, at the moment, the therapeutic possibilities are very limited. 

Promemoria’s research efforts centre on the role of neuronal cell adhesion molecules 
(CAMs), which have recently been shown to play a key role in functions linked to learn-
ing and memory. A CAM is a protein located on the surface of a cell contributing to the 
binding with other cells. Neuronal CAMs are known to be involved in brain develop-
ment processes, and in the light of recent research results also appear to contribute to 
the synaptic alterations connected with memory formation in adults. They are widely 
distributed throughout the nervous system, and are thus viewed as highly promising 
targets for new drugs.

The Promemoria project builds on the combined expertise of 17 partners from 11 coun-
tries. It involves 14 academic partners and 3 SMEs. Due to this close cooperation be-
tween academia and the private sector, the project is expected be particularly efficient 
in  translating  its  findings  into  intellectual  property,  which  in  turn  should  speed  up  the 
development of marketable products.

Recently, a new project about CAMs stemmed out of the collaborations and results of 
Promemoria: Memstick. This project, launched in February 2008, aims to bring CAMs 
yet another step forward towards the clinics.

Medical research

20

 
Understanding the brain

Rare diseases

In  Europe,  rare  diseases  are  defined  as  diseases  affecting  less  than  one  person  in 
2000. Rare diseases tend to be very serious, but due to their low prevalence in any 
given population, they are particularly challenging areas of research. 

This is a context where the multidisciplinary, collaborative, cross-border approach en-
couraged by the EU is proving particularly valuable. Substantial funding, coupled with 
the  opportunity  to  pool  expertise,  resources,  patient  data  and  biological  material  is 
giving research into rare diseases a much-needed boost. The latest round of projects 
in this area is focusing on research into the natural course and pathophysiology of rare 
diseases and on building research capacity.

Other chronic diseases

Functional and sensorial impairments and chronic diseases such as arthritis, rheuma-
tism, musculo-skeletal conditions, respiratory problems or allergies are another priority 
area of EU-funded health research. Many of these conditions may not, in themselves, 
be  life-threatening,  but  all  are  potentially  disabling  and  seriously  affect  the  patient’s 
quality of life.

EU projects are devising improved diagnostics and intervention strategies in order to 
delay the onset of such diseases, treat them or alleviate their symptoms. New projects 
launched in 2007 notably explore the following areas:

n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 

n 
n 

early processes in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory disease;
genetic factors of osteoporosis;
hearing or visual impairment and degeneration;
inflammatory bowel disease;
innovative concepts in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
intervertebral disk degeneration: prevention and repair;
osteoarthritis;
osteoporosis:  signalling  pathways  in  bone  formation  and  homeostasis, 
genetic factors of osteoporosis;
understanding and combating age-related muscle weakness;
treatment of urinary incontinence.

Cardiovascular disease 

Diseases of the heart and circulatory system (cardiovascular disease or CVD) are the main causes of 
death in the EU, killing over 2 million people per year. Of all deaths in the EU-27, mortality from CVD 
reaches 42 % (45 % of deaths in women and 38 % of deaths in men). 

EU-funded health research strives to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring 
of  these  diseases,  including  the  vascular  aspects  of  stroke.  The  latest  wave  of  EU-funded  CVD 
research is investigating the following areas:

cell therapies for the treatment of heart ischaemia;
stroke;
congenital pathologies affecting the heart;
pharmacogenomic approaches to the treatment of CVD; 
inflammation and vascular remodelling in arteriosclerosis;
organ imaging in CVD;
vascular remodelling in aneurysmal disease.

n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 
n 

21

Medical research

Health research focus:

Ethics

Ethics at the centre of research 

Public attitudes towards science and technology are overwhelmingly positive. The confidence gen-
erated by messages such as ‘scientifically tested’ or ‘scientifically proven’ is testament to society’s 
support of scientific endeavour. It also highlights the social responsibility that accompanies research. 
As science advances and the relationship between science and society evolves, new challenges are 
created for the scientific community. 

Today, there are more scientists than ever before. Every day, exciting research opportunities spring 
into existence. Projects are larger, more complex, and more expensive. The role that science plays 
in our lives continues to gain in importance, and society, in turn, has a stake in science. Conse-
quently,  the  relationship  between  science  and  society  continues  to  change  and  intensify  in  the 
pursuit of progress.

Excellence in science means addressing ethical concerns — to improve the quality of the science 
itself, but also to highlight the importance of its outcomes to the wider community. The EU’s commit-
ment to ethics in research is reflected in explicit requirements, and more specifically in the evaluation 
of project proposals. Ethics may be context-dependent, but any research team’s approach to ethical 
matters is taken as an indication of the honesty and the clarity of its proposal. 

While there are rarely clear-cut answers when it comes to ethics, some areas are excluded from EU 
funding by definition. These are human cloning for reproductive purposes, altering the genetic heri-
tage of human beings, and creating human embryos only to conduct research or obtain stem cells. 

For further information, see http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ethics_en.html

Key concepts of European research ethics 

All research activities supported by FP7 should respect fundamental ethical principles, includ-
ing those reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. 

Research on human stem cells (both adult and embryonic) may be financed, depending on the 
scientific proposal and the legal framework of the Member State(s) involved.

The principle of precaution requires projects to conduct a careful assessment of predictable 
risks and potential benefits at the outset, establish proportionality between these, and imple-
ment appropriate safety measures.

Health research focus: Ethics 

22

      
Health research focus:

Small & medium-sized enterprises

SMEs for a healthy future

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economic future of the EU, 
and main drivers of innovation in medicine. Dynamic, flexible and keen to identify promising niches, 
SMEs are usually among the first to respond to emerging challenges and seize new market op-
portunities. Many engage in cutting-edge research.

Recognising this crucial contribution to the EU’s economy and to the excellence of research, the frame-
work programmes have increasingly aimed to involve high-tech, research-intensive SMEs in collabora-
tive research projects. FP7 intends to provide at least 15 % of the FP7 Health theme contribution, i.e. 
EUR 900 million, to their participation and has also introduced a raft of changes to the legal and financial 
regulations, aligning them explicitly on the needs of smaller enterprises. 

The rules regarding intellectual property rights have been revised to offer more clarity and to account for 
the particular requirements of SMEs. Furthermore, a special guarantee fund will cover the financial risk 
of defaulting project participants, thereby reducing the need for financial checks and bank guarantees.

In addition to the network of National Contact Points, the main structure providing information and 
assistance on all aspects of participation in FP7, the European Commission has also set up the dedi-
cated support scheme SME-go-Health to facilitate SME participation (http://www.smesgohealth.org/
common/home.asp). Experts in 30 countries are on hand to offer tailor-made assistance, in particular 
through  a  project-matching  database  enabling  SMEs  and  other  participants  to  locate  partners  for 
FP7 Health proposals. A new support action, SM-BIO-POWER, specifically targets SMEs working in 
the medical technology and biomedical engineering sectors. 

Helping SMEs to make a success of their framework programme participation is a priority of the 
Health  theme.  Several  initiatives  are  in  place  to  support  SMEs  with  the  valorisation  of  funded 
project results, including a practical guide to identify useful sources of information ‘SMEs in Health 
Research, opportunities during and after participation in EU-funded projects’ and a new support 
action  ‘Kappa  Health’,  aiming  at  identifying  the  principal  performance  factors  that  account  for 
successful SME participation in framework programmes.

The increased emphasis on SMEs in FP7 will open up new avenues, enabling them to expand their 
research activities. In forming collaborative partnerships with other SMEs, larger companies and 
academia from Europe and beyond, SMEs can drastically reduce their financial exposure, boost 
their expertise and maximise the outcome of their R&D efforts. 

For further information, see http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/health/sme_en.html 

For a definition of SMEs, see http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/health/sme_en.html#01

23 

Health research focus: Small & medium-sized enterprises

3INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Infectious diseases

For some of us, the threat of infectious diseases conjures up images of a bygone era centuries ago when 
the menace of disease swept through cities, destroying livelihoods and ravaging lives. And of course, in-
fectious diseases remain a major threat to this day. They still account for more than two-thirds of disease 
affliction in poorer parts of the world, and recent threats to public health on a global scale, such as avian 
influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), have also reminded us of human susceptibility 
to emerging threats, and the danger of resting on our laurels. 

Infectious diseases, diseases transmitted from one living being to another, are responsible for around 
15 million human deaths worldwide every year. These diseases are largely preventable and are a major 
cause  of  disability,  death,  and  economic  upheaval.  Unprecedented  strides  in  science  have  brought 
forward new technologies and applications, resulting in breakthroughs that offer renewed hope in com-
bating infectious diseases. Many of these scientific advances, unfortunately, have yet to be translated 
into drugs, microbicides and vaccines.

So, whilst it is true that scientific progress in this area is unparalleled, there is still much more to be done, as 
is the case with the so-called ‘neglected’ infectious diseases, such as leprosy and leishmaniasis. Further-
more, ongoing research is required into new and (re-)emerging epidemics that have the potential to affect 
human populations in the future. 

Europe’s seven-year 
priority plan

The EU encourages research into infectious diseases by pursuing four major 
lines of enquiry:

n 
n 
n 
n 

poverty-related diseases,
potentially new and (re-)emerging epidemics,
antimicrobial drug resistance,
neglected infectious diseases.

The European research environment for infectious diseases has focused on the provision 
of resources whereby highly innovative ideas may be conceived, and new approaches 
may  be  developed  for  the  prevention,  treatment  and  management  of  these  diseases. 
The  approach  is  a  pragmatic  one,  facilitating  the  means  of  driving  basic  knowledge 
through  to  clinical  application.  This  has  meant  integrating  European  expertise  from  a 
range of disciplines, forming partnerships between public and private organisations, and 
collaborating with international research groups on other continents.

The European Commission has committed significant resources in support of transla-
tional research and intervention activities to combat infectious diseases under FP7. The 
commitment builds on a body of rigorous European research effort established through 
previous framework programmes. 

For further information, see 
http://ec.europa.eu/research/health/infectious-diseases

Infectious diseases

26

Is poverty a trigger 
for disease?

Unsurprisingly, yes it is. Circumstances such as overcrowded living con-
ditions, insufficient access to proper health care and poor nutrition make 
those  affected  by  poverty  more  vulnerable  to  infectious  diseases.  But 
the reverse is also true. While poverty can be attributed to the rampant 
spread of communicable diseases in developing countries, the crisis of 
disease in turn brings with it a socioeconomic toll that is debilitating to a 
country’s growth and prosperity.

Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, known 
as  poverty-related  diseases  (PRDs),  account  for  over  6  million  deaths 
every year, mainly in developing countries. This global emergency unites 
European and international research efforts in a stronghold for the devel-
opment of therapies as well as diagnostic and preventive tools.

New  approaches  are  required  to  confront  these  infectious  diseases, 
and  the  European  Commission  provides  wide-reaching  support  to  a 
range of policy areas, including trade, development and research. Since 
2002, the Commission has almost quadrupled its overall annual support 
to research activities for PRDs. Under FP6, this support amounted to 
more  than  EUR  400  million  specifically  for  discovery  and  translational 
research  activities  as  well  as  the  ‘European  and  developing  countries 
clinical trials partnership’ (EDCTP).

This  commitment  continues  under  FP6’s  successor,  with  research  ef-
forts focused on combating PRDs at global level, as well as on Europe-
specific aspects of the three major diseases and hepatitis. European re-
sources under FP7 are used to support the integration of expertise from 
different disciplines, the formation of partnerships, and the involvement 
of research groups from developing countries.

27

Infectious diseases 

International commitment 
to address a global crisis

Adopted by the European Parliament 
and  Council  on  16  June  2003,  the 
‘European  and  developing  countries 
clinical  trials  partnership’  (EDCTP) 
was  the  largest  single  initiative  intro-
duced  under  the  Sixth  Framework 
Programme (FP6).

Its  aim  is  to  accelerate  the  devel-
opment  of  new  or  improved  drugs, 
vaccines  and  microbicides  against 
the  three  major  PRDs  (HIV/AIDS, 
malaria  and  tuberculosis)  by  focus-
ing  on  phase  II  and  III  clinical  trials 
in  sub-Saharan  Africa,  the  world’s 
worst-affected  region.  Besides  a 
devastating  loss  of  lives,  the  dis-
eases  are  responsible  for  impeding 
development  and  contributing  to  a 
crippling  cycle  of  poverty  in  these 
countries. 

Under  FP6,  the  European  Com-
mission’s  funding  commitment  of 
EUR  200  million  to  EDCTP  repre-
sented  almost  half  of  the  allocated 
budget  to  PRDs.  This  is  indicative 
of  the  emphasis  placed  on  clinical 
research  activities,  which  will  con-
tinue under FP7.   

The EDCTP is a collaboration between 
14  EU  Member  States,  in  addition 
to  Norway  and  Switzerland,  and  47 
countries in sub-Saharan Africa. 

For more information, see 
http://www.edctp.org

How does this research 
affect me?

funding 

for  newly  emerging 
Research 
epidemics is critical. In the mid-1990s, the 
European Commission issued a special call 
for  proposals  that  confronted  the  bovine 
spongiform  encephalopathy  (BSE)  crisis, 
otherwise  known  as  ‘mad  cow  disease’. 
In  addition  to  contributing  to  successful 
products,  such  as  the  development  of 
tests  for  the  disease,  this  action  led  to 
the  founding  of  solid  European  research 
capacity in this area. 

Similarly,  the  Commission  responded  to 
the  outbreak  of  severe  acute  respiratory 
syndrome  (SARS)  in  2003  with  funding 
support that generated a number of scientific 
advances. Between 2000 and 2007, funding 
support of over EUR 90 million was allocated 
specifically  to  influenza  research  and  has 
contributed to a number of successful results, 
such  as  vaccines  for  both  humans  and 
poultry,  new  diagnostic  tests  and  the  early 
discovery of the emergence of drug-resistant 
viruses.  Support  for  scientific  research  into 
these  and  other  zoonoses  continues,  an 
indication  of  the  very  real  health  threat  that 
emerging diseases pose to the world.  

The pandemic threat: 
the emergence 
of new disease

While the European Commission has a long tradition of funding research into emerging 
epidemics,  a  dedicated  activity  for  this  area  was  established  for  the  first  time  under 
FP7. The decision to support a specific strategy for potentially new and (re-) emerging 
epidemics  is  a  response  to  the  threat  of  emerging  zoonoses,  such  as  SARS  and  the 
recent spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1, and other pathogens 
with pandemic potential.   

The programme is designed to respond to research needs in two ways:

n 
n 

a long-term planning and consistent funding stream for researchers;
a flexible approach to respond to new threats in the rapidly changing field of 
emerging epidemics.

Resources aimed at accelerating the development of new diagnostics, drugs and vac-
cines will continue to be made available for large and obvious threats, such as pan-
demic influenza. At the same time, support has also been committed to target patho-
gens that pose a less imminent threat, with the aim of developing a more methodical 
approach to integrating European scientific excellence. This strategy also means that 
early identification of new pathogens will afford European scientists and authorities pre-
cious time to prepare emergency measures.

In both instances, the call topics for EU funding support will cover the entire range of 
health research, from innovative basic research and early-stage clinical trials to imple-
mentation research that supports public health responses. 

Infectious diseases

28

The genomic age: 
confronting the problem 
of drug resistance 

Once  easily  mastered  through  the  administration  of  antibiotics,  severe 
bacterial infections are again on a sharp rise in Europe due to increasing 
resistance against available antibiotics. Hospitalised patients today run a 
significant risk of becoming infected by multi- or even pan-resistant infec-
tions against which virtually no drugs are effective. Lately, community-ac-
quired infections are also becoming a serious concern. At the same time, 
the drug development pipeline for new antibiotics is virtually empty due to 
lacking incentives for the pharmaceutical industry to invest in this field. In 
the longer term, difficulties in effectively treating bacterial infections pose 
a threat to many modern diagnostic and treatment modalities. 

Research on antimicrobial drug resistance has been a high priority 
on the agenda of the EU Framework Programmes, with more than 
EUR 200 million of EU support provided to the field in the last 10 years. 
A profound knowledge of the basic molecular mechanisms of resistance 
forms the basis for more translational research approaches. These ad-
dress key pathogens causing major drug resistance problems, bringing 
forward  basic  research  either  through  clinical  research  into  improved 
patient  management  or  product-oriented  research  on  new  diagnostic 
tests and novel antimicrobial drugs. 

European Antibiotic Awareness Day

Use  of  antibiotics  generates  antimicrobial  resistance,  which  reduces  the 
effectiveness  of  the  drugs  in  the  treatment  of  disease.  Antibiotics  must 
therefore be valued as a lifesaving, but scarce resource and should thus be 
used cautiously. But society’s traditions are strong. The lack of adequate 
diagnostic tests in combination with patients’ expectations to receive anti-
biotics are strong drivers of overuse. Considering that only 40 % of Europe-
ans know that antibiotics are not effective against viral infections (Euroba-
rometer), the general awareness of the increasing drug resistance problem 
needs  to  be  raised.  A  European  Antibiotic  Awareness  Day  will  therefore 
be organised around different aspects of the problem, addressing different 
target populations. Annual events are planned from November 2008. 

29

Infectious diseases 

Determining 
priorities, 
addressing gaps

Neglected infectious diseases (NIDs) result 
in chronic disability or premature death for 
millions of sufferers. The diseases, 90 % of 
which  originate  in  low-income  countries, 
are also shrouded in social stigma that af-
fects  human  potential  and  quality  of  life. 
Lymphatic filariasis, for example, is endem-
ic in over 80 countries. A classic late-stage 
sign of this disease is elephantiasis, a pain-
ful, disfiguring swelling of the limbs. 

Research  into  NIDs  has  been  identified  as 
one of the four priority pillars under the infec-
tious diseases strategy of FP7. In addressing 
this  research  gap,  the  European  Commis-
sion  aims  to  improve  current  methods  and 
develop new approaches for the prevention, 
diagnosis, treatment and control of NIDs.

European involvement in this area is critical to 
addressing needs and redirecting attention to 
a challenge requiring international participa-
tion. The Commission’s aim is to fund gaps 
in  research  specifically  targeting  neglected 
tropical diseases, including NIDs within para-
sitic (e.g. trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and 
Chagas’ disease), bacterial (e.g. Buruli ulcer 
and leprosy), and helminths (schistosomiasis 
and filariasis) disease groups. 

For each of these disease groups, research 
gaps  such  as  diagnostics,  drugs  to  over-
come  drug  resistance  and  vaccine  devel-
opment  may  be  addressed.  Funding  sup-
port into prevention and control strategies 
for this and other NIDs has also been iden-
tified as a priority in European research.  

Health research focus:

Innovative Medicines Initiative

Better tools for better medicines

Providing patients with easier access to the latest, most effective medicines while boosting the com-
petitiveness of the European pharmaceutical industry is the goal of the Innovative Medicines Initia-
tive (IMI). It will do this by improving the efficiency of the drug development process, and the results 
promise to re-invigorate the pharmaceutical sector.

Developing new medicines is a long, resource-intensive and expensive process. The pharmaceutical sec-
tor has identified four research ‘bottlenecks’ that are currently holding up the drug development process:

n 
n 
n 
n 

predicting the safety of new treatments;
predicting how effective a new treatment will be;
bridging gaps in knowledge management;
education and training.

IMI will focus its efforts on a number of key diseases and conditions that affect millions of Europeans 
and for which new treatments are urgently needed: 

IMI is developing tools and methods to address these bottlenecks. For example, side effects of new 
medicines can often not be identified until the product is in clinical trials or even on the market. By then, 
vast amounts of time and money have already been invested in them. However, new technologies 
could  be  used  to  predict  potential  side  effects  much  earlier  in  the  development  process,  before 
precious funds are spent on a full clinical trial. Other tools could help to identify the most effective 
compounds at earlier stages of drug development than is currently the case.

n 
n 
n 
n 
n 

brain disorders (Alzheimer’s disease, stroke);
inflammatory diseases (asthma, rheumatoid arthritis);
metabolic diseases (diabetes, obesity);
cancer (breast cancer, leukaemia and lymphoma);
infectious diseases (antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections).

The knowledge management area will look at how new technologies can be best used to analyse 
the vast amounts of information generated in the drug development process. The role of the educa-
tion and training project will be to identify and address gaps in expertise, and support the training 
of professionals.

However, the tools developed by the project will be of use to researchers across the bio-medical field, 
including those working on rare and neglected diseases.

For further information, see http://www.imi.europa.eu

Health research focus: Innovative Medicines Initiative 

30

 
      
How is IMI funded?

The  budget  of  IMI  is  set  at  EUR  2 
billion;  half  of  this  comes  from  FP7, 
with  the  rest  funded  by  Europe’s 
large  pharmaceutical  companies 
that are members of EFPIA. The EU 
contribution of EUR 1 billion is dedi-
cated  for  use  by  universities,  SMEs 
and  patient  groups.  The  industry 
matches the EU’s contribution in kind 
by  funding  its  own  participation  in 
the initiative and providing resources 
such as staff, laboratories, materials 
and clinical research capabilities.

IMI — boosting Europe’s competitiveness

For decades, Europe’s pharmaceutical industry led the world. However, competition from 
other parts of the world has increased considerably. By creating the tools and knowledge 
necessary  to  streamline  the  development  process  and  improve  the  success  rate  for 
new medicines, IMI will make Europe more attractive to both researchers and research 
investments and aims to put Europe’s pharmaceutical sector back in the lead.

IMI and me

IMI will ensure that patients gain improved and faster access to new and better medi-
cines. IMI’s outreach activities will also provide patients with more information about 
their disease or condition, and give them the opportunity to play a greater role in the 
development of new therapies, for example through the initiative’s discussion forum.

IMI in practice

IMI,  established  as  a  Joint  Technology  Initiative  (JTI)  under  FP7,  is  a  public-private 
partnership  designed  by  the  European  Commission  and  the  European  Federation 
of  Pharmaceutical  industries  and  Associations  (EFPIA).  Its  goal  is  to  pool  public  and 
private research money to create Europe-wide, jointly funded research projects involving 
industry and public stakeholders. IMI rallies all key stakeholders — from academics and 
patient groups to SMEs, regulators and the research-based pharmaceutical industry.

The  IMI  JTI  is  implemented  through  a  joint  undertaking  which  consists  of  three  main 
bodies. A Governing Board directs IMI’s operations and oversees the implementation of 
its research agenda, while a Scientific Committee offers advice on IMI’s scientific strategy. 
Finally,  the  Executive  Director,  supported  by  the  Executive  Office  Staff,  is  responsible 
for the day-to-day management. Further advice and support come from two external 
groups, the IMI States Representatives Group and the Stakeholder Forum.

31               
31               

Health research focus: Innovative Medicines Initiative
Health research focus: Innovative Medicines Initiative

4PUBLIC HEALTH

PUBLIC HEALTH

Public health

Helping decision-makers 
to optimise 
Europe’s delivery 
of health care

The  EU’s  health  care  systems  are  an  integral  part  of  the  robust  social  protection  for 
which Europe is well known, reflecting the values of universality, access to high-quality 
health care, equity and solidarity. But ensuring that a health care system delivers out-
standing services to all is a complex challenge. 

This  is  reflected  in  FP7’s  Health  theme  by  the  third  pillar  ‘Optimising  the  delivery  of 
health  care  to  European  citizens’.  Research  selected  for  funding  will  assist  decision-
makers and stakeholders by providing them with the information that they need to make 
informed choices. The projects will contribute to the design of effective strategies for 
health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and therapy. At the same time, health 
system issues such as accessibility, quality and efficiency will be focused on, while striv-
ing to ensure that health care is patient-centred and responsive to individual needs.

Turning clinical research into clinical practice

Here the aim is to determine how clinical research findings can be used best in clinical 
diagnosis and treatment, and to improve understanding of decision-making procedures 
in health care settings. There is a special emphasis on patient safety, a topic close to 
European citizens’ hearts, on the benchmarking of strategies, and on investigating the 
effects  of  interventions,  including  continuity  of  care,  patient  self-management  of  dis-
eases and better use of medicines.

Ensuring our health systems are effective and open to all

Research  in  this  area  aims  to  provide  tools  that  will  help  stakeholders  and  decision-
makers to learn from other health systems, with the goal of ensuring quality, efficiency, 
solidarity and sustainability. Particularities of national health systems and differences in 
population health will be taken into account. This research will have a particular focus 
on organisational, financial and regulatory aspects to establish their impact on effective-
ness and equity of access, important for systems in transition. 

Addressing the determinants of health

Research in this area cannot be undertaken without an approach that also addresses 
health promotion and disease prevention. Here the intention is to support research that 
will deliver evidence for effective public health interventions addressing the wider deter-
minants of health, including mental health and healthy behaviour, and aspects such as 
stress, diet or environmental factors as well as health inequalities. While most people 
know that lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or taking up regular physical ac-
tivity  could  improve  their  health,  many  struggle  to  make  and  sustain  these  changes. 
Research can provide the scientific basis to design measures which will empower indi-
viduals to lead healthier lives. 

Public health

34

 
Working with
international partners 
to strengthen global 
public health

Research  under  this  heading  is  de-
signed  to  assist  low-  and  middle-
income partner countries to improve 
the  accessibility,  effectiveness,  qual-
ity  of  care  and  user-friendliness  of 
their health systems. It will contribute 
to  initiatives  such  as  the  Millennium 
Development  Goals  and  the  2004 
Mexico Ministerial Summit Statement 
on Health Research. 

Based  on  the  principles  of  fair  part-
nership and dialogue, joint research in 
the form of Specific International Co-
operation  Action  (SICA)  projects  will 
address  key  problems  such  as  high 
maternal, perinatal and child mortality 
as well as lifestyle-induced diseases.

For more information, see 
http://www.edctp.org

Europe4Patients

This 11-partner project started from the premise 
that  increasing  patient  mobility  will  help  EU 
citizens get the most from European health care 
systems. Increased mobility would, for example, 
offer  wider  access 
to  medical  centres  of 
excellence and reduce the discrepancy between 
demand and supply which can translate into long 
waiting lists in one country and spare capacity in 
another.  Europe4Patients  began  by  conducting 
an  in-depth  analysis  of  national  and  European 
legal frameworks, rules on contracting for health 
services across borders and systems for ensuring 
quality  of  care.  The  results  fed  into  reports 
on  each  of  these  issues,  as  well  as  a  scenario 
analysis  on  the  impact  of  possible  actions  and 
recommendations 
for  decision-makers  on 
practical  and  monitoring  arrangements.  These 
results  were  passed  on  to  policy-makers  at 
European, national and regional levels.

Also  of  value  was  a  series  of  case  studies  that 
outline what is happening on the ground around 
the  EU.  The  individual  studies  address  topics 
such as sharing capacity and the use of centres 
of excellence, cross-border hospital cooperation, 
cross-border contracting, including the example 
of the arrangements set up between the Repub-
lic  of  Ireland  and  Northern  Ireland  to  promote 
peace and reconciliation between the two popu-
lations. One important spin-off of the project is a 
publication that, for the first time, describes how 
every Member State is addressing the challenge 
of assuring high quality of medical care.

For further information, see 
http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp6/ssp/
europe_for_patients_en.htm

35

Public health

Health research focus:

Promoting health 
across generations

TEDDY — 
Task-force in Europe 
for drug development 
for the young

Medical research powers the develop-
ment of increasingly effective and so-
phisticated  drugs  —  which  are  often 
formulated  for  adults,  and  cannot  be 
assumed to be safe or even effective 
in  paediatric  use.  Suitability  for  chil-
dren  has  only  been  established  for 
some 30 % of the products currently 
marketed in the EU. 

The TEDDY project, a network of ex-
cellence involving 17 partners from 9 
Member  States,  Romania  and  Israel, 
was launched in 2005. It aims to op-
timise  the  paediatric  use  of  existing 
medicines and stimulate the develop-
ment of new ones, a process in which 
it is involving a broad range of stake-
holders  active  in  drug  development 
and  in  paediatric  clinical  practice, 
alongside  regulatory  authorities  and 
patients’ associations.

For further information, see 
http://www.teddynoe.org

Growing up … 

The  loss  of  a  child  is  a  tragedy  without  equal.  The  World  Health  Orga-
nization  estimates  that  almost  10  million  children  under  the  age  of  5  die 
each year, most of them in the developing world and due to preventable or 
treatable conditions such as malnutrition, pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, 
measles and HIV/AIDS.

Protecting children from illness is a priority underpinning human existence 
itself, one of mankind’s guiding principles. This imperative cuts across all 
aspects of EU-funded health research. The EU is committed to the promo-
tion of child health through research into appropriate treatment, protection 
and prevention measures. 

Developing medicines and standards that are specifically suited to children 
is one of the main priorities. The EU supports research into paediatric me-
dicinal formulations, including suitable vaccines and drugs to fight some of 
the world’s most fatal infectious diseases. In this regard, legislative efforts 
are bolstering the work of researchers. 

Under  FP7,  research  funding  will  continue  to  encourage  transnational 
partnerships.  Childhood  cancer,  for  instance,  requires  the  cooperation 
of researchers from across the EU. Other, more common diseases, such 
as  childhood  diabetes,  will  also  benefit  from  European  cooperation.  Of 
course, prevention is better than cure, which is why special emphasis is 
also being placed on the promotion of healthy behaviour among children. 
Actions  targeting  immunisation  and  screening  will  have  another  major 
role to play. 

Examples of specific topics targeted under FP7 include: 
n 
n  paediatric  formulations  of  drugs  against  HIV/AIDS,  malaria  and  tu-

innovative approaches for the development of vaccines;

n 

berculosis;
type 1 diabetes, a life-threatening chronic disease which usually starts 
during childhood; 

n  adapting off-patent medicines to the specific needs of children;
n  childhood and adolescent mental disorders;
n  promoting healthy behaviour;
n 

improving prenatal and maternal care.

Health research focus: Promoting health across generations 

36

 
… and growing older

Current trends indicate that by the year 2050 the number of people aged 
60  and  over  will  have  more  than  doubled  worldwide  to  2  billion  people. 
Remarkable advances in science and knowledge have meant that we are 
now living longer and more fruitful lives than ever before. This achievement 
is not without its challenges, however, as longer life expectancy impacts 
on all aspects of 21st century society. Governments across the globe must 
manage  the  economic  and  social  implications  of  an  ageing  population. 
They must also prepare for increasing demands on health care, as a rapidly 
ageing society signals large populations with chronic diseases, disabilities, 
and heightened health needs. 

Among developed countries, Europe is expected to bear one of the most 
pronounced shares of this ageing demographic — 37 % of Europe’s citi-
zens will be over 60 years of age by 2050. The EU recognises that con-
fronting this change is essential. The goal is to support healthy, active and 
productive  lifestyles  for  Europe’s  older  people,  and  the  challenge  is  one 
that requires comprehensive and integrated activities.

The health of the ageing population is a consideration emphasised across 
FP7’s  entire  Health  theme.  Research  into  the  process  of  healthy  ageing 
and age-related illnesses, biomedical advances as well as prevention and 
disease management strategies are examples of the activities supported. 

Where FP7 research into the health of an ageing population is concerned, ac-
tivities will relate to unravelling the basic mechanisms of human development 
and ageing, as well as to prevention, diagnostics and treatment of age-related 
diseases, and the impact on the quality of life of older people, including:

n  novel approaches to reconstituting normal immune function at old age;
n  biomarkers of ageing;
n  increasing the participation of elderly volunteers in clinical trials;
n  understanding and combating age-related muscle weakness;
n  impairment of touch and proprioception at old age;
n  translational research aimed at treatment of urinary incontinence;
n  health systems and long-term care for elderly patients, including 

organisation of dementia care;

n  health outcome measures related to the ageing population.

MARK-AGE— 
Unravelling the mysteries 
of ageing

Why  do  some  of  us  age  faster  than 
others?  Any  reply  to  this  question 
will  have  to  consider  a  vast  set  of 
complex, interrelated factors ranging 
from genetic heritage to environmental 
influences. 

the  answers.  The 

Of  course,  these  factors  have  been 
the  focus  of  intense  research  for 
many years. Candidate biomarkers of 
biological  age  have  been  proposed, 
notably  as  a  means  of  detecting 
vulnerability  to  age-related  disease. 
However,  a  single  biomarker  taken 
in  isolation  is  unlikely  to  provide 
all 
‘European 
study  to  establish  biomarkers  of 
human  ageing’ 
(MARK-AGE),  an 
integrated project supported by FP7, 
is  assessing  existing  biomarkers, 
identifying new ones and determining 
their  relative  importance  in  order  to 
propose  a  weighted  system  which 
will  determine  biological  age  with  a 
high degree of accuracy. 

For further information, see 
http://www.mark-age.eu

37 

Health research focus: Promoting health across generations

 
5HEALTH BIOTECHNOLOGY

Health 
biotechnology

New tools for new therapies

Advances in biotechnology research have led to the development of tools and tech-
niques which enable us to manipulate genes, cells and tissues in a variety of ways. In 
the health field, doctors and researchers are using these tools to create new therapies 
for a wide range of diseases and conditions, many of which are currently untreatable. 
The EU is supporting a broad range of projects exploring their potential. 

These exciting new therapies are already being used in hospitals and clinics to treat 
patients with a variety of diseases. Meanwhile, researchers from many disciplines are 
working to improve their effectiveness and see how they can be exploited to treat other 
diseases. The safety of these new therapies is another key focus of research.

Regenerative medicine

As the name implies, the field of regenerative medicine is focused on developing treat-
ments which replace and repair damaged cells, tissues or organs. An important tool in 
regenerative  medicine  is  the  stem  cell.  What  makes  it  special  is  its  ability  to  produce 
many different kinds of cell. For example, in adults, haematopoietic stem cells are able to 
produce all the different kinds of blood cell. Scientists are also extremely interested in em-
bryonic stem cells, as these have the potential to produce any kind of cell in the body. 

In cell therapy, patients receive new cells to replace diseased or damaged ones; a good 
example is the use of adult stem cells from bone marrow to treat leukaemia. It is also being 
used to develop treatments for Crohn’s disease, a condition which affects the bowels.

Meanwhile tissue engineering involves using stem cells to regenerate tissues such as 
skin, bone, cartilage and blood vessels. Burn victims are already benefiting from these 
techniques to repair or replace burnt skin, and cell therapy products can be used to 
replace  knee  cartilage  which  has  been  damaged  by  disease  or  injury.  By  using  the 
patient’s own cells to create new cells and organs, regenerative medicine also helps to 
avoid the rejection problems associated with traditional transplants.

Ultimately,  scientists  hope  to  be  able  to  harness  these  techniques  to  develop  treat-
ments that will repair the heart after a heart attack, and even treat spinal cord injuries 
and brain damage. 

Health biotechnology

40

Gene therapy

Many diseases and conditions are caused, at least in part, by mistakes 
in  our  genes  which  prevent  the  affected  tissue,  organ  or  system  from 
working properly. Gene therapy involves the addition of a healthy working 
copy of the faulty gene into the appropriate cells of the body. Instead of 
treating the symptoms of the disease, gene therapy has the potential to 
correct the underlying cause.

The  objective  of  gene  therapy  is  to  deliver  therapeutic  DNA  molecules 
to the inside of cell nuclei in an efficient, specific and safe way. One ap-
proach uses a virus to transport the gene. However, while this method 
is effective at transferring the genes, there is concern that the virus may 
trigger  immune  or  inflammatory  responses  or,  once  inside  the  patient, 
may recover its ability to cause disease. Non-viral methods present cer-
tain advantages with simple large-scale production and low host immu-
nogenicity, but the main disadvantage is low levels of transfection and 
expression of the therapeutic gene.

Gene therapy has already been used to treat conditions such as severe 
combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and rare eye diseases. Researchers 
are now working to improve the efficacy of these therapies and also apply 
them to new conditions, including cystic fibrosis and cancer.

41

Health biotechnology

The OsteoCord project —
turning blood into bone

Every year, up to two million bone graft 
operations are carried out to replace tis-
sue  lost  through  disease  or  injury.  Cur-
rently,  most  of  these  grafts  are  either 
taken  from  other  parts  of  the  patient’s 
own body (which requires an additional, 
painful operation) or from other sources 
(which raises the risk of the patient’s im-
mune system rejecting the graft).

In  the  healthy  body,  bone  cells  are 
produced  by  stem  cells  found  in  the 
bone marrow called mesenchymal stem 
cells.  These  could  therefore  be  used  to 
regenerate  damaged  bone  and  other 
tissues.  However,  extracting  them  from 
living donors is both difficult and painful. 

The  OsteoCord  project  is  investigating 
the potential of using stem cells extracted 
from  umbilical  cord  blood  to  create 
bone structures which could be used to 
repair  broken  and  diseased  bones.  ‘The 
mesenchymal  stem  cells  in  cord  blood 
appear  similar  to  bone  marrow  stem 
cells, but they are hard to locate. We aim 
to  isolate  and  expand  them  so  we  have 
enough cells to use in therapies,’ explains 
Project  Coordinator  Paul  Genever  of  the 
University of York.

The project will also consider the ethical 
aspects of such research, with a particu-
lar emphasis on how the potential bene-
fits of therapies based on stem cells can 
be balanced against ethical concerns.

For further information, see 
http://www.bonefromblood.org 

         
Diagnostics and imaging

For  many  diseases,  such  as  cancer,  early  diagnosis  greatly  improves  the  patient’s 
chances of making a full recovery. With this in mind, a good deal of research is focused 
on developing diagnostic tools and imaging techniques which will help doctors pick up 
on diseases while they are still in the early stages. The same tools can also help doctors 
to track their patients’ progress and choose the most appropriate treatments. 

New imaging systems are being developed which combine two different systems, such as 
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, or ultrasound and optical techniques. 
These hybrid systems allow doctors to take advantage of the strengths of both systems. 

For example, X-rays are very good at revealing details of bones or showing up surgical 
implements,  notably  during  an  operation,  while  MRIs  are  good  for  producing  images 
of  softer  tissues.  Combining  different  imaging  technologies  into  one  machine  poses 
significant  technical  challenges;  in  the  example  of  the  combined  X-ray/MRI  machine, 
scientists had to get round the way the magnetic fields produced by the MRI part of the 
machine interfered with the X-rays.

For  patients,  the  main  advantage  of  these  hybrid  systems  comes  from  reducing  the 
number of imaging appointments.

Biomarkers

Biomarkers are defined as indicators of a particular biological state, and they are widely 
used  to  detect  diseases  and  track  the  progress  of  an  illness.  They  can  be  analysed 
through imaging techniques or laboratory tests. An example of a biomarker is prostate 
specific antigen (PSA), which is detected in high levels in men with prostate cancer.

Researchers are busy identifying the physiological and molecular changes associated 
with a wide range of disorders, including immune deficiency diseases, muscle disorders 
and  hearing  impairments,  with  the  goal  of  developing  highly  sensitive,  accurate  and 
cost-effective diagnostic tests.

Health biotechnology

42

Medical research 
and animal experiments — 
following the three Rs

Growing awareness of animal welfare issues means that researchers are 
increasingly  under  pressure  to  reduce  the  use  of  animals  in  their  ex-
periments. Nevertheless, the safety of new treatments, particularly those 
based on experimental or innovative concepts, must be ensured before 
they are tested on patients.

The  EU is a  strong  supporter  of research based  around the so-called 
‘3 Rs’, which encourage scientists to reduce, refine and replace the use 
of  laboratory  animals.  Recent  years  have  seen  the  development  and 
regulatory  approval  of  non-animal  tests  for  skin  irritancy,  phototoxicity 
and  skin  and  eye  corrosion  and  irritation.  Further  alternative  tests  are 
awaiting approval from legislators and yet more are under development.

While most of these new tests take place in the test tube (in vitro), an 
increasing  number  of  tests  are  being  developed  which  are  based  on 
computer  modelling  (in  silico).  Between  them,  these  new  approaches 
promise  to substantially  reduce  the  number of animals used in experi-
ments in Europe.

Children and patient safety

The vast majority of medicines in use today were developed for use in 
and tested on adults, and just a third of the medicines currently marketed 
in Europe are known to be suitable for children. The EU provides support 
to a range of projects designed to remedy this situation.

For more information on child health, please go to page 36.

43

Health biotechnology

The MolDiag-PaCa 
project — picking up 
on pancreatic cancer

Although it is relatively rare, pancreatic 
cancer  is  one  of  the  deadliest  forms 
of  the  disease,  killing  around  40  000 
people per year in Europe alone. One 
of the reasons for the low survival rate 
is  the  fact  that  most  people  are  not 
diagnosed until the tumour is too large 
to treat. This problem is exacerbated 
by  the  inability  of  standard  imaging 
techniques 
the 
cancerous lesions.

reliably  detect 

to 

The ‘Novel molecular diagnostic tools 
for  the  prevention  and  diagnosis  of 
pancreatic  cancer’  (MolDiag-PaCa) 
project  is  working  to  develop  new 
tools  which  will  ensure  that  pancre-
atic cancer patients are diagnosed as 
soon as possible.

These tools include methods to identify 
those most at risk of developing can-
cer,  and  screening  techniques  which 
could  identify  pre-cancerous  lesions 
or  early  stage  tumours.  The  tests  de-
veloped  will  enable  doctors  to  detect 
genetic and molecular changes linked 
to  pancreatic  changes  in  samples  of 
pancreatic juice, serum and urine.

For further information, see
http://www.moldiagpaca.eu 

Health research focus:

From evaluation to management

Funding excellence in research 

The  European  Commission  implements  a  thorough  and  transparent  evaluation  process  to  identify 
proposals worthy of funding. The process is firmly grounded in the principle of access for all and the 
codes of fairness, impartiality, confidentiality, efficiency and ethics. 

In 2007, more than 900 proposals competed for funding in the first FP7 call. Only 
the 153 best projects received funding, for a total amount of EUR 641 million.

Only excellent research is to be funded. Independent experts from all over the world assist the Com-
mission in the selection of proposals in a rigorously monitored peer-review process. The proposals 
are analysed and ranked by the experts according to several selection criteria, of which the most 
important is their scientific and technical excellence. The reviewers also identify potential issues and 
make recommendations to refine the proposals. 

After  a  negotiation  phase  with  the  selected  candidates,  a  grant  agreement  detailing  the  financial 
and scientific aspects of the project will be signed. The projects will then run typically from three to 
five years, and their development will be monitored by the Commission services from a financial and 
administrative point of view to ensure good management and good value-for-money use of public 
funds. Independent reviewers may assist the scientific officers from the Commission in the assess-
ment of the scientific results that will define the success of the project.

For more information on the European Commission’s proposal evaluation process, consult Rules on 
submission of proposals, and the related evaluation, selection and award procedures. The publica-
tion is available from http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/find-doc_en.html

Who evaluates research proposals?

Most of the evaluators are leading figures in their fields. They are typically experienced researchers, 
university professors, clinicians, company managers, etc. from Europe and abroad. Evaluators work 
under confidentiality and in a personal capacity, not representing their organisation. 

A  careful  selection  is  made  to  avoid  direct  or  indirect  conflicts  of  interests,  in  order  to  ensure  the 
impartial evaluation of every proposal. Each one is analysed by 3 to 10 experts, selected by the Com-
mission services according to the expertise required and the complexity of the project. After a remote 
phase of individual evaluation, consensus meetings are held in Brussels to discuss each group of 
proposals for a given domain. 

Public funds devoted to research must be adequately spent. The principles 
of sound financial and administrative management must be guaranteed in 
all EU-funded projects.

Health research focus: From evaluation to management 

44

Independent Observers’ Report

A group of high-level independent observers is appointed every year to ensure transparency in the 
evaluation  process.  They  assess  the  conduct  and  fairness  of  the  process,  verify  that  the  correct 
procedures are followed, and provide their feedback in the form of public reports that can be found 
at: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/health/library_en.html#01

These reports provide input and advice for the European Commission to support the further devel-
opment of project evaluation and selection procedures for FP7.  

How do I apply for funding?

A  number  of  strategic  areas  to  be  funded  are  identified  every  year  by  the  Commission  services, 
taking into account the main priority lines of the Framework Programme, the input from an advisory 
group of experts, the scientific community and representatives from EU Member States and FP7 
associated countries. 

Applications are invited through calls for proposals published online on the European Commission’s 
FP7 website: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm

Proposals are submitted electronically via the Electronic Proposal Submission Service (EPSS). This 
website provides access to all the necessary information for those wishing to apply for a call. 

For general or specific FP7 queries in any of the official EU languages, call toll free, e-mail or visit a 
Europe Direct Contact Centre: http://ec.europa.eu/research/enquiries

National Contact Points (NCPs) also provide assistance and advice to potential applicants in their 
own language: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/health/support_en.html

The LifeCompetence web page provides useful information on existing and (often) successful consortia 
and research networks, notably the 680 projects funded by the European Commission within FP6 Life 
Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health and International Cooperation for Health.

For further information, see http://www.lifecompetence.eu

‘All  the  experts  that  have  been  interviewed  unanimously  emphasised 
and  acknowledged  that  the  approach  taken  by  the  European  Com-
mission  for  evaluating  proposals  is  of  the  highest  standard  ...  It  can 
be taken as an example of best practice that could act as a model for 
many national research funding organisations.’ 

Wolf-Michael Catenhusen, Jean-Alexis Grimaud and Manfred Horvat, 
Independent Observers’ Report, Evaluation FP7–HEALTH-2007-A , May-June 2007.

45 

Health research focus: From evaluation to management    

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European Commission

European research for a healthier future

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‘R&D has transformed our lives, and will continue to do so in the future. 

In the health sector, this translates into breakthrough research 

to treat, cure or, better yet, prevent disease.’

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European Commissioner for Science and Research