The Biopharmaceutical CEO Roundtable (BCR), which represents the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, met in April, Greece, on 3 and 4 April 2024, to discuss global health challenges and public health policies impacting biomedical innovation.

05 April 2024, Athens – The CEOs of leading biopharmaceutical companies met in Athens, Greece, to discuss collaborative solutions that can help drive global health progress and to address on the importance of pharmaceutical innovation to the health and economic security of countries around the world.

Engagement with Greek Government

A delegation of CEOs met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other officials to discuss shared priorities, focused on lessons learned in driving research and development to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of supporting innovation and ensuring patient access to medicines.

Discussions also included the role of the pharmaceutical industry in Europe and the importance of having the right policy environment that supports the EU Industrial strategy for health security. The pharmaceutical industry in Europe invests €44.5 billion on research and development in Europe, indirectly supports around 2.7 million jobs across the region.

IFPMA President and BCR Chair Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer:

“It was an enormous personal pleasure to welcome colleagues from across our industry to my home country of Greece, and host so many important conversations with some of our key partners in bringing the next generation of medicines to patients.”

“It’s clear that driving progress in pharmaceutical innovation and building a healthier future are shared priorities, and I look forward to continued partnership in addressing some of the biggest global health challenges we face.”

Partnership with the World Anti-Doping Agency for clean sport

The Roundtable in Athens, the birthplace of the ancient and modern Olympics, also reflected on the importance of clean sport and the appropriate and safe use of medicines. In this context, IFPMA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced that they will reinforce their long-standing commitment to deliver clean sport for athletes through shared objectives, including regular information exchanges on substances in clinical development with doping potential to ensure early development and availability of tests; the ongoing strengthening of the Therapeutic Use Exemption program to make sure it remains effective and robust; as well as collaborating to tackle falsified medicinal products.

IFPMA President and BCR Chair Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer:

“Supporting the safe and appropriate use of pharmaceutical products is extremely important for our industry. With the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics just a few months away, I am delighted that IFPMA and WADA have been able to strengthen our longstanding partnership to combat doping in sport. The values of respect and fair play are at the heart of the Olympic spirit, and we want to do everything we can to protect elite and amateur athletes alike from anything that undermines this and the integrity of science and sport.”

About the Biopharmaceutical CEO Roundtable (BCR)

The BCR is a global policy forum where the CEOs of International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) member companies discuss global health policies impacting biomedical innovation. Where possible, the BCR organizes meetings with government officials and policymakers.

About IFPMA

IFPMA represents the innovative pharmaceutical industry at the international level, engaging in official relations with the United Nations and multilateral organizations. Our vision is to ensure that scientific progress translates into the next generation of medicines and vaccines that deliver a healthier future for people everywhere.

To achieve this, we act as a trusted partner, bringing our members' expertise to champion pharmaceutical innovation, drive policy that supports the research, development, and delivery of health technologies, and create sustainable solutions that advance global health.

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Media Contact

Elliot Dunster e.dunster@ifpma.org