The European Medicines Agency supports European SME Week
, which is taking place from 15 to 21 October 2012.
European SME Week promotes enterprise across Europe by supporting the work of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is co-ordinated by the European Commission.
- – providing information on what the European Union and national, regional and local authorities are offering as support to micro, small and medium-sized businesses;
- – promoting entrepreneurship so that more people seriously consider becoming an entrepreneur as a career option;
- – giving recognition to entrepreneurs for their contribution to Europe’s welfare, jobs, innovation and competitiveness.
The Agency works closely with SMEs through its SME office. The office, which was established in 2005, is dedicated to addressing the particular needs of smaller companies, in order to promote innovation and the development of new medicines for human and veterinary use by SMEs.
Companies registered as SMEs with the Agency receive a number of incentives, including reduced fees for applications to the Agency, scientific advice and inspections. The Agency also organises workshops and training sessions for SMEs and provides assistance through dedicated personnel in the SME office.
As of September 2012 there were 1000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) registered with the European Medicines Agency.
SME applicants currently account for around 10% of centralised marketing-authorisation applications for human medicines and 20% of veterinary applications. The centralised authorisation procedure is managed by the Agency.