Consider Joining the Round Table: Why & How

ERTC Fact sheet Pharmaceutical companies interested in the challenging field of Rare Diseases are confronted with the very specific hurdles that lie in the path of product development for rare diseases in Europe, which are not the same as in the USA where a specific policy for rare diseases has existed for decades.

As one of the main promoters of the EU Orphan Drug Regulation and as members of the COMP actively involved in the designation procedure of Orphan Medicinal Products (OMP) at the EMEA (European Medicines Agency), Eurordis is fully aware of the bottlenecks and obstacles in developing products for rare diseases in Europe. The EU's multicultural and heterogeneous legislative environment is an additional difficulty for OMP developers.

Over the past ten years, Eurordis has gained expertise in dealing with the various public and private institutions involved in the rare disease and orphan drugs field and can now share this expertise with the pharmaceutical industry, mainly through the Eurordis Round Table of Companies (ERTC) program.

This “club” for companies with a common interest in rare diseases and OMP development was launched in 2004 and is now well-established, with a total number of 33 members in 2009. ERTC members provide financial support to Eurordis, in return, their company benefits from the constructive dialogue that is being developed between industry, patients' organisations, and national & European authorities in a neutral environment.

Membership benefits

Participation in two Round Table of Companies' Workshops per year focussed on issues suggested by the companies. These workshops aim to speed up the development and availability of treatments and health services in Europe and to build relationships with the patient community, in a working and collaborative atmosphere generating open discussion (More information about ERTC workshops).

Timely reports, surveys and analysis relevant to the field of orphan drugs and rare diseases from different sources (Eurordis, NORD, EMEA, FDA, European Commission, EFPIA/EBE/EuropaBio, academic researchers).

Opportunities to interact with other companies in a neutral venue

Opportunities for direct exchange of views with leaders of the rare disease community

Opportunities to develop partnerships and collaborations with patient groups

Mention of ERTC members on Eurordis' website (see Members of the Round Table of Companies), with a logo and a direct link to the websites of the companies

Financial support acknowledged in the annual report

Ruby member - 25 000 €

Up to 5 participants to workshops
Company listed on Eurordis' website with logo and a link to the company's website
Financial support acknowledged in annual report

Emerald member - 10 000 €

Up to 2 participants to workshops
Company listed on Eurordis' website with logo and a link to the company's website
Financial support acknowledged in annual report

Sapphire member - 5 000 €

1 participant to workshops
Company listed on Eurordis' website with logo and a link to the company's website
Financial support acknowledged in annual report

Ready to apply for Round Table Membership?

Please:

Make sure you have read all the documents about the Round Table, and in particular the Eurordis Policy on Financial Support by Commercial Companies
Read, sign and return the Code of Conduct
Complete and return the Membership Application form, accompanied by a cheque or a copy of the bank transfer :