10 November 2025
The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) has submitted its response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the upcoming European Biotech Act.
Biotechnology has the potential to unlock more precise, effective, and personalised cancer treatments. ECL welcomes the European Commission’s initiative for the European Biotech Act as an opportunity to ensure that innovative cell and gene therapies translate into real benefits for cancer patients.
Access to new treatments and advanced therapies is crucial for cancer patients, particularly when addressing unmet clinical needs. To this end, the European Biotech Act should include:
It is essential to establish financing mechanisms that combine competitive public funding, philanthropy, and private capital. The Biotech Act should allocate specific funds for cancer and other diseases with a high social burden, while also increasing R&D investments to support non-commercial clinical trials, prevention, and early detection.
Above all, the future European Biotech Act must translate into tangible benefits for all patients: better prevention, early diagnosis, innovative treatments, and equitable access. The value of innovation should be measured not only in economic return, but also in life years gained, improved quality of life, reduced inequities, and the sustainability of healthcare systems, which entails fair prices.
Read ECL’s full contribution to the EU Biotech Act public consultation