The Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences, a leading research unit conducting scientific and implementation work in the field of immunology, oncology and experimental therapies, appeals for the maintenance of stable funding for the Medical Research Agency and the abandonment of plans to significantly reduce it.
In recent years, the Medical Research Agency has become a key instrument for the development of non-commercial clinical and translational research in Poland. Thanks to its support, it is and will be possible to increase patient access to modern therapies, develop national academic and clinical centres, and build sustainable scientific and technological potential. This potential is of strategic importance today for the health security of the state and Poland’s ability to independently develop innovative therapeutic solutions.
We were very concerned to learn about the possible budget cuts for the Medical Research Agency. Such a decision threatens to halt the development of non-commercial research, lead to the loss of qualified scientific and clinical staff, and squander investments in infrastructure and expertise that are essential for the further development of innovative therapies in Poland. In our opinion, maintaining stable funding for the Medical Research Agency is a prerequisite for Poland to not only benefit from medical progress but also to actively contribute to it by developing its own therapies and building technological independence in the field of healthcare.
We therefore appeal for:
- maintaining stable and predictable funding for the Medical Research Agency,
- recognising the MRA as a strategic tool for the development of modern therapies in Poland,
- engaging in substantive dialogue with scientific and clinical units before introducing changes with such significant systemic consequences.
The Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences declares its full readiness to cooperate with the Ministry of Health and supervisory institutions for the further, responsible and transparent development of medical research and innovative therapies in Poland.