Biopharmaceutical CEO Roundtable gathers in London, focusing on global health challenges and role of pharmaceutical innovation

The Biopharmaceutical CEO Roundtable (BCR), which represents the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies, met in London.

04 APRIL 2025, London - This week, the Biopharmaceutical CEO Roundtable (BCR), which represents the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies, met with the UK Prime Minister, senior UK Cabinet Ministers and key officials to discuss strengthening global health policies and sustaining the global policy frameworks that drive pharmaceutical innovation and translate scientific progress into medicines and vaccines.

The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the importance of creating the right environment to advance the shared ambition set out in the UK Government's Life Sciences Vision.

Following the meeting with the UK Government, discussions also took place with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Mottley MP on global health priorities.

The discussions also focused on the importance of an effective intellectual property environment and strong and appropriate regulatory systems to drive innovation, as well as collaboration with stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem to ensure medicines and vaccines reach patients.

Discussions also highlighted the urgent need for policies that support a robust response in tackling antimicrobial resistance. The pharmaceutical industry remains committed to ensuring access to essential antibiotics and working with global partners to develop economically sustainable solutions that enable timely access to new antibiotics worldwide.

BCR Chair Dr. Thomas Schinecker, Chief Executive Officer Roche Group, said:

"Science is changing the way we prevent, stop and cure disease - and the pharmaceutical industry is right at the heart of that progress.

"The conversation with the UK Government was a valuable opportunity to focus on what really matters: how we create the conditions that allow innovation to thrive - and how we work together to ensure it reaches the patients who need it.

"When we get that right, we don't just improve healthcare - we create lasting value for patients, healthcare systems and the wider economy".

BCR Secretary General, Dr. David Reddy, IFPMA Director-General, said:

"The pharmaceutical sector is a key driver of both health and economic progress, and this meeting was an important opportunity to discuss how we can maximize our contribution to both.

"Our industry's unique commitment to R&D, coupled with strong intellectual property protections and solutions that unlock access challenges, enables us to tackle pressing global health issues, from antimicrobial resistance to chronic diseases, while also fuelling economic growth and job creation worldwide".