Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000820/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)
There are around 1 027 cancer startups in the EU (1 325 in the US), with 41.6 % in the early stage of development, while 34.7 % are still in the seed stage[1].
In contrast, US companies are growing faster, with 40 % of them being at a more advanced stage (compared to 24 % in the EU) and holding significantly larger patent portfolios (in technologies such as cellular immunotherapy, gene therapy and image analysis) than their European counterparts. US-based companies hold 82 % more international patents than their EU counterparts, while startups and early-stage companies exceed EU portfolios by 58 % and 56 %, respectively.
In view of the above:
- 1.What actions will the Commission take to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of global cancer research?
- 2.In view of the Startup Strategy, how will the Commission enhance access to finance, and is the Commission considering the creation of a European initiative to enhance the participation of institutional investors in venture capital?
- 3.How will the Commission support startups in securing and strategically using their intellectual property rights?
Submitted: 24.2.2025
- [1] European Patent Office, New frontiers in oncology: an evolving innovation ecosystem, 2025.