This Week in Healthcare — Brussels (#22, 2026)
Commission moves on biotech and cancer; Biotech Act committee opinions; Novel foods authorised; Biotech council meeting scheduled; Amended infant formula rules.
June 07, 2026 to June 13, 2026
Commission moves on biotech and cancer; Biotech Act committee opinions; Novel foods authorised; Biotech council meeting scheduled; Amended infant formula rules.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On June 15, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Decision (EU) 2015/1814 as regards the market stability reserve for the buildings, road transport and additional sector; Amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards acceleration of permit-granting procedures; Amending Regulations (EU) 2016/679, (EU) 2016/1036, (EU) 2016/1037, (EU) 2017/1129, (EU) 2023/1542 and (EU) 2024/573 as regards the extension of certain mitigating measures available for small and medium sized enterprises to small mid-cap enterprises and further simplification measures.
- Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health): On June 16, the EU Council's Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
European Commission
President von der Leyen opens brain cancer research conference
On 7 June 2026, President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the 'Advancing Brain Cancer Research: From policy action to scientific breakthroughs' conference. Von der Leyen cited the annual cancer burden in the EU, including 42,000 brain tumour diagnoses and 36,000 related deaths. She referenced progress enabled by Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, which invests EUR 4 billion including EUR 600 million in research. Von der Leyen mentioned the European Biotech Act, aimed at accelerating clinical trial approvals and fostering therapeutic innovation. The speech also stressed the relevance of the European Health Data Space for data-driven medicine, and the goal of equal access to care, mentioning ongoing work on the 'right to be forgotten' for cancer survivors. The Commission continues commitments to research and patient support in line with broader EU health priorities.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/743 updates protein requirements for infant formula
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/743 of 30 March 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2016/127 concerning protein-related requirements for infant and follow-on formula manufactured from protein hydrolysates. The update allows formulas using a specific protein hydrolysate, as recently evaluated by EFSA, provided they meet minimum content and composition criteria. Annexes I, II, and III are amended accordingly.
Novel foods: Inulin-propionate ester and cRG-I carrot extract authorisations
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1219 of 9 June 2026 authorises inulin-propionate ester for use in cereal bars and fruit smoothies, with exclusive marketing rights for Imperial College Hammersmith Campus for five years. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1306 of 11 June 2026 authorises rhamnogalacturonan-I enriched carrot extract (cRG-I) as a novel food, granting NutriLeads B.V. sole marketing rights for five years. Both regulations amend Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 to reflect these inclusions.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
EU Council
Upcoming Health Council to discuss the European Biotech Act I
On 16 June 2026, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health configuration) is scheduled to debate the European Biotech Act I regulation and negotiating positions for directives on genetically modified micro-organisms and organ processing.
EP Committee Work
JURI committee draft opinion on European Biotech Act
On 9 June 2026, the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) published a draft opinion regarding the Commission's proposal for a European Biotech Act. Rapporteur Tiemo Wölken addresses regulatory amendments in health innovation, aiming to strengthen the Union’s biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors. The draft opinion covers amendments to multiple regulations, including (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 1394/2007, (EU) No 536/2014, (EU) 2019/6, (EU) 2024/795, and (EU) 2024/1938, framing the legal context for biotech and medical device innovation.
What We're Reading This Week
- Video. EU announces €5m boost to Ebola response in DRC: EU commits €5 million to strengthen Ebola prevention and response efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Video. Heat-related deaths in Europe are largely preventable, WHO says: WHO emphasizes that many heat-related deaths in Europe could be avoided with improved public health measures and preparedness.
- Longevity medicine: are we ready to grow old?: Scientists and clinicians are debating how advances in longevity medicine could reshape our approach to aging and health care.
- EU announces €5 million boost to Ebola response in DRC: EU increases funding to support Ebola outbreak response efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo with an additional €5 million.
- Ebola crisis exposes ‘preventable’ pandemic risk, say leaders: Global leaders warn that gaps in health systems revealed by the Ebola crisis could lead to future, avoidable pandemics.
