Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) are a game changer for improving the lives of patients with severe to life-threatening diseases. Yet, despite fast-paced innovation in the field, few ATMPs have reached the EU market and benefited patients. The challenges facing their adoption by health systems are complex. A test case is the uptake of CAR T-cell therapy; what are the hurdles and what action is needed from stakeholders?

While health policy remains the primary responsibility of Member States, in many areas the added value of EU-level collaboration and harmonization has increased. EU initiatives in health have shown a mixed record in terms of impact, but hopes are high for the latest one, the ambitious Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.