Commission approves €2 billion Dutch measure to support production of medical radioisotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment

Source: European Commission Spokesperson's Service  

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €2 billion Dutch measure to support the PALLAS project aimed at producing medical radioisotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The measure contributes to ensuring security of supply of essential and live-saving medicines in line with the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe.

The Netherlands notified the Commission of its plan to support the PALLAS project, which consists in the construction of a reactor and a nuclear health centre in Petten, the Netherlands. Today’s decision follows a 2013 Commission’s decision approving aid to the preparatory phase of the PALLAS project.

The new reactor will replace the existing high flux reactor, one of the world leaders in the production of medical isotopes, in operation since 1961. The new reactor is envisioned to start operating in the early 2030s. The nuclear health centre will process the medical isotopes produced by the reactor into radiochemicals, which will then be further processed into radiopharmaceuticals that can be administered to patients for the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases including cancer.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: ”This €2 billion measure enables the Netherlands to support a strategic project contributing to the securing of supply of essential medicines and to the development of breakthrough innovation in the field of nuclear technology to the benefit of European citizens. Our assessment has confirmed that the measures proposed by the Dutch authorities will limit any possible distortions of competition triggered by the public support.”

A press release is available online.