Following last year’s approval by the US FDA, the EU’s EMA has  now also approved the first two T-cell-based immunotherapies against certain types of cancer. This marks the ultimate proof-of-concept for the acceptance of patient-individualised cellular immunotherapies. The regulatory authorities have moved fast, together with the companies and manufacturers, to bring these products to patients as quickly as possible. This is a good start – but what does the future hold?

Plastics are magical materials, and they will be even more important in the future than they are today. But they lead to microplastics in the environment, especially noticeable as “marine littering.” The European Commission is now proposing, among other things, a ban on certain single-use plastic products, including “plastic cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers, and sticks for balloons, which will all have to be made exclusively from more sustainable materials instead.” The Commission’s legislative proposal must then be negotiated with the member states and the European Parliament. And here substantial changes should still be made – because so far industry and politics continued to fail in this area.

Is cheaper always better when it comes to generics? What about when it comes to innovative medical uses of them?

In mid-November, the European Commission tabled the long-awaited review of its Bioeconomy Strategy and Action Plan. European Biotechnology spoke with Waldemar Kütt, Head of Unit Bioeconomy Strategy, about the development the bioeconomy has made since its launch in 2012 by the European Commission and the instruments needed to attract investments, make it circular, and create a stable policy environment for companies and investors.