France has long been a European leader in rare diseases, from its scientific research and academic hospitals, through to patient advocacy and regulatory reforms that have encouraged R&D. Its biotech and pharmaceutical industries are now leading the way, discovering the next generation of therapies for patients that are often overlooked.

Industry veteran Jeremy Levin, the 2023 winner of the Scrip Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, speaks to In Vivo about what holds back innovation in the biopharma industry, new technologies and commitments needed to protect the future relationship between drug developers and patients.

Almost 80% of novel agent submissions from the biggest companies were approved in recent years, compared with a 60% approval rate for the rest of the industry, according to a recent analysis of FDA approval decisions since 2021.

Almost 80% of novel agent submissions from the biggest companies were approved in recent years, compared with a 60% approval rate for the rest of the industry, according to a Pink Sheet analysis of FDA approval decisions since 2021.