Viewpoint

The pharmaceutical industry – Europe’s most R&D intensive sector – is being damaged by cuts to drugs budgets. This will drive investment in innovation elsewhere, the EU is warned in a letter from Andrew Witty, president of EFPIA

The UK’s big guns of medical research have united with patients’ group to pre-empt the expected call by some MEPs to end funding of human embryonic stem cell research, when the plan for Horizon 2020 is debated in the European Parliament

Beyond measures to improve the framework conditions for innovation there is a need to concentrate resources in priority areas. Governments must let entrepreneurs show the way to these Smart Specialisations, says Dominique Foray

Under-investing in R&D is not a symptom of the economic crisis, but lies at its root cause. Horizon 2020 must be fuelled with sufficient funding to become Europe’s development engine for the future, says Ioannis Tsoukalas, MEP

Increasing investments in research should not be considered as making the debt or deficit higher - they are essential to generate more wealth and competitiveness. This will provide rapid returns and contribute to a better balance sheet, says Antonio Tajani.

Scientific breakthroughs arise when excellent researchers are given the freedom to explore beyond the bounds of formulaic R&D programmes. A Howard Hughes-type grant scheme for Europe would promote this, says Gunnar Öquist

The EU’s innovation policy isn’t working effectively to produce economic benefits. A more streamlined and simplified system is needed to catalyse growth, says a new report from Ernst and Young

Research funding bodies must foster risk-taking, be more tolerant of errors, allow for changes in direction - and give scientists the time to develop new ideas, says Wilhelm Krull

To be truly effective, open innovation needs to move beyond process, to tap into the spirit of innovation. This means showcasing outputs to research partners and customers, and using R&D successes to inspire students, says Declan Weldon of Air Products

The European Medicines Agency’s thumbs-down for rare disease treatment Glybera flies in the face of Commission policy. It’s also against the wishes of the European Parliament, and the impetus DG Sanco is putting into Orphan Drugs. Worse still, it’s bad for patients and kills innovation. By Nuala Moran.