EU greenlights $2.17B Dutch state aid for cancer radioisotope production

By Merve Berker

The Netherlands on Friday secured EU approval for €2 billion ($2.17 billion) of state aid to build a nuclear reactor to produce medical isotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“Under the measure, the aid will take the form of loans and equity for a total amount of approximately €2 billion to a newly established company (‘NewCo') that will build and operate the reactor and the nuclear health centre,” a European Commission statement said.

The Netherlands had notified the European Commission of its plan to support the PALLAS project, which includes the construction of a reactor and a nuclear health center, a commission statement said.

As part of the 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, according to the statement.

“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,” it added.

The reactor and the nuclear health center will also be used to conduct research, development and innovation activities both in the field of nuclear medicine and nuclear power technology, the statement said.

Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president 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," she added.