The new scientific Silk Road: What role for Europe and Portugal?

For decades, European pharmaceutical innovation found its natural partner in the US. Today, amidst tariffs, pricing pressures, and regulatory divergences, this transatlantic relationship faces new challenges—and Europe is seeking its strategic autonomy.

In a sector where time is critical, the focus has been shifting. With clinical-stage assets and competitive licensing, China is establishing itself as a key supplier of pharmaceutical innovation.

Portugal has already sent a clear signal along this path: the recent joint declaration on R&D cooperation between Portugal and China places health, healthy aging, and medical technologies at the center of the bilateral agenda.

As highlighted by our Partner and Life Sciences specialist, Patrícia Paias, in Healthnews, this context brings immense opportunities, but also critical challenges:

• Who owns the IP created in joint development?
• How will rights and commercial exploitation be divided?
• What legal framework applies to the transfer and use of clinical data?

"On the new Silk Road, the rules of the road are called clinical data and intellectual property. Set from the outset, they distinguish productive cooperation from technological capture."

Learn more about the regulatory and strategic impacts in the health and Life Sciences sector by getting in touch with our team.

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