New study highlights contribution of €98 billion by the small to mid-sized biopharmaceutical industry as represented by EUCOPE to the EU economy and growing exposure to global policy uncertainty

Findings to be discussed in EUCOPE webinar on 4 February 2026

Brussels, January 2026 – A new study quantifying the economic footprint of the small to mid-sized biopharmaceutical industry as represented by EUCOPE shows that EUCOPE member companies make a substantial contribution to the EU27 economy, while operating in an increasingly complex and globally interconnected policy environment. EUCOPE will present and discuss the findings of the study in a dedicated webinar on 4 February 2026. The study is available here.

The study, conducted by Copenhagen Economics and finalised in December 2025, finds that EUCOPE’s members supported the EU economy by contributing €98 billion in EU27 GDP in 2024 and 678,000 jobs across direct, indirect and induced effects. The analysis highlights the strong productivity of EUCOPE’s predominantly small and mid-sized innovative companies, reflecting their high investment in research, development, and highly skilled employment.

Beyond its economic contribution, the study examines the international trade profile of EUCOPE members, underlining the strategic importance of global markets for the EU’s innovative biopharmaceutical sector. Pharmaceuticals generate the largest trade surplus of any EU27 industry, reaching €195 billion in 2024, with the United States accounting for more than one third of EU pharmaceutical exports. Four out of five EUCOPE members export to the US, illustrating the deep integration of transatlantic pharmaceutical supply chains.

At the same time, the report identifies emerging uncertainties linked to global trade and pricing policy developments, including pharmaceutical import tariffs and Most Favoured Nation (MFN) pricing initiative. Evidence gathered for the study suggests that such developments may influence future investment, pricing and launch strategies, with potential implications for where and when new medicines are introduced, as well as where research, development and manufacturing activities are located.

The study also highlights the importance of predictability and policy stability for long-term investment decisions. In an environment of increased global uncertainty, EUCOPE members emphasise the need for coherent and forward-looking frameworks that support innovation, patient access and economic resilience in the EU. Importance is also placed on how the EU works towards being a competitive region. The current geopolitical context reinforces the need for the EU to invest in a pharmaceutical ecosystem which attracts, supports, and encourages innovation and investment in the EU. The Biotech Act is a positive example but must be part of a broader effort to establish a stronger legislative ecosystem driving pharmaceutical innovation.

Webinar: presenting the findings and discussing implications

To explore the study’s findings in more detail, EUCOPE will host a webinar on 4 February 2026, bringing together experts to discuss:

• The economic footprint of EUCOPE’s biopharmaceutical members in the EU
• The role of small and mid-sized innovators in the European life sciences ecosystem
• The interaction between global trade and pricing developments, including MFN approaches
• Insights from the study on investment, R&D and launch decisions

The webinar will be an opportunity to hear from EUCOPE and some of its members on how global developments intersect with the EU’s competitiveness and innovation environment.

Registration is possible here.

EUCOPE Press contact: Matthias Heck (heck@eucope.org).