The European Cancer Organisation (ECO) sets out a roadmap to restore Europe’s leadership in cancer science and care, arguing that cancer innovation should sit at the heart of Europe’s competitiveness agenda.

Among the core recommendations is stitching oncology innovation into Europe’s competitiveness strategy and building on existing frameworks like the Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission.

The ECO calls for removing regulatory fragmentation and clarifying rules around GDPR interpretation, IVDR, and the Clinical Trials Regulation to speed new treatments to patients.

Europe’s share of global oncology trials dropped from about 41% in 2008 to 21% in 2023, highlighting an opportunity to reclaim leadership rather than a simple decline.

The European Commission and EU member states are urged to consider these recommendations as they shape Europe’s new competitiveness agenda.

Industry voices, including Joel Plaja of AstraZeneca, underscore the economic and citizen benefits of prioritizing cancer policy within Europe’s competitiveness framework.

The report is titled “Seizing the Moment: Europe as a Global Leader in Cancer Science and Care.”

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