Australia-EU agreements to benefit Australian’s health with fast tracking of Horizon Europe
24 March 2026: Australia-EU agreements to benefit Australian’s health with fast tracking of Horizon Europe
The finalisation of the Australia-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) process will benefit the health of Australians through a decision to fast-track negotiations on Australia’s participation with Horizon Europe (HE) – Europe’s flagship research and innovation programme.
Medicines Australia has previously argued strongly for Australia to become associated with Horizon Europe – linking local industry, researchers and innovators into one of the world’s most significant research and innovation ecosystems. This participation would bring major benefits not only to the innovative medicines sector, but also Australia’s broader health and medical research industry.
Chief Executive Officer, Medicines Australia, Liz de Somer, said that with current uncertainty from the Middle East crisis and the potential for ongoing disruption to the medicine supply chain, it is now more critical than ever to expand relationships with Europe.
“Medicines Australia has previously argued for a stronger association with Horizon Europe to help attract extra research and development funding, strengthen regulatory coordination and help create greater opportunities for Australian companies and researchers,” Ms de Somer said.
“We have a responsibility to ensure all avenues are explored when it comes to building relationships with allies across the globe. We must continue to take decisions that support our sovereign capability for medical research and treatments. All Australians depend on it.”
The Medicines Australia Submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources notes the benefits of a closer association with HE would:
– Open substantial new funding opportunities for collaborative research and development, particularly benefiting Australian researchers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) developing new therapeutics.
– Strengthen Australia’s connections with the EU, both scientifically and regulatorily.
– Closer alignment with Europe on health R&D policies would also strengthen Australia’s innovation environment.
Medicines Australia advocates for alignment on scientific and regulatory standards and on policies that incentivise investment in health R&D investment – particularly intellectual property (IP) and data protection.
“The conclusion of the Australia-EU agreements and FTA will benefit all nations and is a clear demonstration of the importance of bi-lateral agreements,” Ms de Somer said.
“Australia is a great trading nation and the FTA, the Security and Defence Partnership and Horizon Europe agreements build upon already strong relationships and help position all nations to meet serious challenges ahead of us.”
Media enquiries:
Anne-Marie Sparrow, Medicines Australia /Cube – media@medicinesaustralia.com.au or 0417 421 560.
About Medicines Australia:
Medicines Australia leads the research-based pharmaceutical industry of Australia. Our members discover, develop and manufacture the medicines that are the foundation of a healthy and prosperous society, including prescription pharmaceutical products, biotherapeutic products and vaccines. Our members invest in Australian medical research and take local discoveries and developments to the world.