To achieve this objective, it created the European Research Area that contributes to strengthen the scientific and technological bases of the EU and its Member States, their competitiveness and their capacity to collectively address major scientific challenges. With over 15% of its revenues invested in R&D and over 20,000 employees in Europe, the vaccine industry is a major contributor to the knowledge-based economy [2]. Europe’s leading position in vaccines is, however, increasingly threatened by North America and BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries [3], as evidenced for example by the decrease in the proportion of R&D projects

located in Europe (down from 71% in 2006, through 58% in 2008, to 50% in 2010) [4], especially for R&D projects involving new antigens. European scientists are leading many initiatives in vaccine design and development. While there are many find more vaccine candidates especially in early stages of the development process, translation of these candidates from discovery research through to preclinical and clinical development has turned out to be a major bottleneck. SB203580 molecular weight Several difficulties within this “translation gap” directly impact on vaccine development; these include for example the lack of access to innovative technologies or lack of financial support to acquire such novel technologies, lack of access to

relevant expertise, and the lengthy regulatory authorisation process for the approval of new products. Vaccine development is a lengthy and iterative process requiring significant resources and expertise, and it can take over 10 years to bring a vaccine to market. Translational research – taking ideas from the bench into clinical trials – is not attractive

to scientists working in the public sector: it presents high risks of failure, has to comply with regulatory requirements, and is underrated for the development of a research career. Many programmes have been initiated in the United STK38 States (US) and the EU to foster and secure pipeline management and product development [3]. Although very welcome, these initiatives often have been limited: the organisations eligible to apply for funding are limited and funding usually does not exceed five years. In Europe, for example, projects are usually funded for periods ranging from three to five years, and possibilities to renew successful initiatives very frequently do not exist. A recent analysis of R&D patent and publication networks over 10 years suggests that the vision announced for a European Research Area has not yet been delivered and that Europe remains a collection of national innovation systems with cross-border collaboration below expectation for an integrated European Research Area [5]. This failure also affects the vaccine research area and warrants redress.