Pharma powering European innovation and growth

The air at Tampere University’s Arvo campus buzzed with quiet anticipation as large group of healthcare stakeholders gathered for the MET Research Days Industrial Pre-event: HealthAI & Digital Twins, organized by Business Tampere and Tampere University. The event brought together researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to explore how data, artificial intelligence and collaboration are reshaping healthcare.

Among the keynote speakers was Baedr Kayali, General Manager of AbbVie Finland Oy. Following the event, Kayali offered additional reflections on how the pharmaceutical industry can drive Europe’s innovation and economic growth.

The pharmaceutical industry drives innovation through significant investment in research and development (R&D), Kayali emphasized.

– It has the highest R&D intensity of any industry in Europe. R&D brings innovative solutions to treat patients, unlocks new possibilities for healthcare and creates substantial economic value.

According to Kayali, pharmaceutical innovation does not only shape healthcare outcomes, it also strengthens Europe’s competitiveness.

– If Europe wants to stay competitive, we need to improve the efficiency in turning science into new medicines. The U.S. and China are often faster at translating research into new treatments. While Europe has the talent and the infrastructure, it loses competitiveness due to lengthy regulatory pathways, complex processes and limited incentives for innovation.

From science to patients – closing the innovation gap

Europe produces world-class science but often struggles to translate it into real products and patient benefits.

– The main issue is not the science but the system, Kayali noted.

– The path from discovery to patient is long and uncertain. Each country has its own rules for approval and reimbursement. That slows everything down and discourages companies from investing more. We need simpler and more predictable processes so that research turns into real benefits faster.

He also sees public–private collaboration as essential for progress.

– Universities bring ideas, biotech brings speed, and pharma brings scale and experience. When we work together from the start, we avoid duplication and move faster. Finland has great data, strong biobanks and a culture of trust in research. If we use those strengths, we can close the gap between science and patient care.

Partnerships at the core of innovation

For AbbVie, partnership is at the heart of innovation. According to Kayali, a good partnership is built on trust and a clear goal.

– Each side knows what they bring and what they need. We work with university hospitals to study how medicines perform in real life, not only in trials. That helps doctors and patients get more value from innovation. The best sign of success is when the collaboration continues beyond one project.

AI and digital tools reshaping research

Artificial intelligence, digital twins and data analytics are transforming how medicines are discovered and developed.

AI is already part of how we discover and test medicines. It helps us find new drug targets and plan smarter studies, Kayali explained.

– Digital twins and large datasets show how diseases behave in real life. These tools will make research faster and treatments more precise. The change won’t happen overnight, but the direction is clear: data and science move together.

Kayali believes AI will also make research more efficient and patient-centered.

– Instead of creating labour-intensive quality registers, we can use AI-assisted systems that collect and process registry data automatically. That saves time and makes studies more accurate. The same goes for genetics. AI can analyze complex genetic data in minutes instead of weeks, helping doctors find the right treatment for each patient faster.

Ensuring Europe remains a strong place to innovate

Regulatory complexity and slow access to markets still hinder Europe’s potential.

– Investmentsfollow predictability, Kayali said.

– When timelines are clear and rules are stable, companies invest more. Long and complex approval systems push innovation elsewhere. Europe still takes too long to bring new medicines to patients. We need faster and more consistent decisions, and closer cooperation between regulators and payers.”

Finland, he added, has many strengths to build on.

– We already have excellent digital health data and a skilled workforce. Increasing public investment into pharmaceutical innovation would amplify these advantages. With stable policies and continued support for R&D, we can stay an attractive place to invest.

Building confidence in European science

When asked about the next decade, Kayali’s answer reflected both ambition and optimism:

– We are very proud of what we are bringing to society and patients. Our commitment will remain to work with health systems and partners to make care sustainable and efficient. The next decade should be about broader access to innovation and fair opportunities for patients everywhere.

– My hope is that this period builds a lasting foundation for research and trust. When people look back, I want them to see that this was the moment Europe regained confidence in its science, and turned it into real progress for patients, he concluded.