30th anniversary scientific conference highlights
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) marked its 30th anniversary on 25 June 2025 with a scientific conference entitled ‘Medicines, regulation and the future.’
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The EMA's 30th anniversary scientific conference reflected on three decades of achievements in medicine and regulatory science.
The event brought together representatives from:
- European institutions and agencies
- European medicines regulatory network
- International partners of EMA
- Patient and healthcare professional organisations
- Pharmaceutical industry organisations
- Dutch government
- Former and current EMA staff members
EMA's Chief Medical Officer, Steffen Thirstrup, chaired the event.
It featured keynote addresses, speeches and a panel discussion. For more information, including the full agenda, see EMA’s 30th anniversary scientific conference - Medicines, regulation and the future.
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Watch the full video of EMA's 30th anniversary scientific conference below:
Welcome and opening of 30th anniversary scientific conference
EMA’s Executive Director, Emer Cooke, officially opened the conference.
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands followed with a ceremonial speech.
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"Every day that our work makes a difference to patients is a day we can feel proud."
How EMA helps meet the European Commission's goals
The Director General for Health and Food Safety in the European Commission's DG Sante, Sandra Gallina, delivered the event's first keynote address - in place of the EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, who was unable to join the scientific conference.
Sandra Gallina reflected on the progress in science and medicine regulation. She highlighted how these changes have reshaped EMA’s responsibilities.
She also added that "what has remained consistent is the good relationship that EMA has with the Commission."
Discovery of GLP-1 and its role in human physiology
Professor at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Endocrinology and Metabolism at Copenhagen University, Jens Juul Holst, held the second keynote address of EMA's 30th anniversary scientific conference.
He traced the journey from the discovery of GLP-1 in the 1970s to its development into effective treatments used for weight loss and for treating type 2 diabetes.
Looking to the future, he noted that "there will be some busy years" as many new treatments are due to be submitted for approval in Europe.
How regulatory science emerged in the EU
EMA’s first Executive Director, Fernand Sauer, spoke about the emergence of regulatory science in the EU and the steps that led to EMA’s creation in 1995.
"Science doesn't rule the world but it has certainly ruled EMA from the start."
Patient's perspective: 30 years of regulatory and scientific collaboration
Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe, Yann Le Cam, thanked EMA and its partners for their longstanding work supporting patients.
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"You enabled science to translate into innovative human medicinal products, treatments and vaccines transforming public health, transforming healthcare for all EU citizens, transforming all life. We can be all proud of it."
Leading EMA through difficult times
EMA's former Executive Director Guido Rasi gave a presentation on his experience in leading EMA through difficult times.
He was EMA's Executive Director between 2011 and 2020. In this period, he guided EMA through challenges such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also implemented flagship policies, including on clinical trial data publication.
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"People’s commitment is what makes everything work and drives our success."
Imagining the future of science and regulation
The Executive Director of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Products (AEMPS), María Jesús Lamas Díaz, focused on the future of science and regulation in her speech.
Maria Lamas emphasised the important role of a "rigorous, reliable and competent European regulatory system led by the EMA."
She highlighted key focus areas for the European medicines agencies network strategy to 2028. This strategy guides the European medicines regulatory network to meet the challenges ahead.
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"We prefer to shape the future rather than to imagine the future."
Are we prepared for the science of tomorrow?
The panel discussion held during EMA's 30th anniversary scientific conference featured key questions and considerations on the future of regulatory science.
The panelists highlighted disruptors such as artificial intelligence, data and geopolitics that need to be taken into account when preparing for the future.
Panelists:
- EMA Executive Director, Emer Cooke
- Executive Director of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Products, María Jesús Lamas Díaz
- Former Chief Executive Officer of EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe, Yann Le Cam
- EMA's former Executive Director, Guido Rasi
- EMA's Chief Medical Officer, Steffen Thirstrup
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How to embrace One Health
The Director General for Health and Food Safety in the European Commission's DG Sante, Sandra Gallina, highlighted the enhanced collaboration between EU agencies to implement the EU's One Health approach.
This approach aims to enable the EU and its Member States to better prevent, predict, detect and respond to health threats.
EMA and four other EU health and environment agencies work together to implement One Health.
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30 years of development in biotechnology and what comes next
The Scientific Director for Biotechnology at the Medical Products Agency Läkemedelsverket in Sweden, Mats Welin, reflected on key developments in the area of biotechnology since EMA started operating.
He highlighted areas of innovation such as advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), personalised medicine, including 3D printing, point-of-care manufacturing, making use of models in control and development of new products and processes.
Mats Welin is long-standing member of EMA's Biologics Working Party. This working party provides recommendations to EMA’s scientific committees on all matters related to the quality aspects of medicines with biological or biotechnological active substances.
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From lab rats to organoids: alternatives to animal testing, including AI
Professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Thomas Hartung, discussed alternatives to animal testing.
He stressed the important role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine regulation, adding that AI should not be treated as an afterthought.
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Gender equality and women's health: the forgotten priorities?
EMA's Head of Translational Sciences, Corrine de Vries, presented key results and improvements in gender equality and women’s health since 1995.
She emphasised that EMA's collaboration with stakeholders helped achieve progress in these fields.
She also praised "the relentless support of EMA's committee members, rapporteurs and committee chairs".
In addition, Corinne de Vries highlighted ambitions and future opportunities to further improve equality in medicine for women.
Tackling the next pandemic – yes, we can!
EMA's Head of Public Health Threats, Marco Cavaleri, highlighted that future epidemics are inevitable. In this context, he emphasised the importance of preparedness, improved collaboration and coordination with key stakeholders.
He added that academia, NGOs and EU, national and international bodies can work together to address future epidemics effectively.
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"An effective response comes only with effective preparedness. What we did with COVID-19, we can do again and again, and even better.”
Final remarks
The President of the Portuguese National Authority of Medicines and Healthcare Products (Infarmed), Rui Santos Ivo, closed the EMA's 30th anniversary scientific conference.
Rui Santos Ivo is also EMA's Management Board Chair.
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"Let us carry forward not only the lessons of the past 30 years but the enduring values that have brought us here: collaboration, integrity, scientific excellence and the unwavering commitment to public and animal health."