Antoni Esteve, Chairman of the Spanish pharmaceutical company, Laboratorios Esteve, based in Barcelona, told a recent meeting at ESADE that global expansion is undoubtedly a way forward for companies. “Operating in the US market will enhance our business and future status as investors,” he explained at the latest Matins ESADE session.
Esteve referred to his company’s recent takeover of the American group Breckenridge Pharmaceutical as a platform on which to build, and underlined the importance of, “Being a Spanish and international company at the same time.”
However, the chairman of the Catalan pharmaceutical company views Europe’s position in the field of research with pessimism, saying, “The United States is on course to be the true leader in the pharmaceutical industry.”
Esteve also aired his worries about the state of the Spanish healthcare system, saying that the taxpayer's 6 per cent contribution to healthcare spending makes the system “unsustainable” and calling for an urgent review. A supporter of a healthcare pact, Esteve stressed that, “Now is the time to advocate a plan that nurtures confidence and investment,” and called for, “more daring and groundbreaking R&D,” even though this may entail greater risks.
Esteve also singled out talent attraction as one of the key issues to improve the industry’s standing.
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