Latest news with #EU4Health
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Veolia Heads a Groundbreaking Wastewater Epidemiological Surveillance Across Europe
Wastewater analysis is a key tool for anticipating health risks, triggering preventive measures earlier, and thus strengthening the effectiveness of public health responses. Thanks to its specialized laboratories, Veolia will analyze up to 500 wastewater samples, each subjected to more than 500 different tests, in order to detect emerging health threats at an early stage. This surveillance is part of the EU4Health pioneering program, led by HaDEA (European Health and Digital Executive Agency - European Commission), aimed at monitoring the health status of the Europeans across major cities across the continent. PARIS, July 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Veolia (PARIS:VIE), the world leader in water technologies, is at the helm of a groundbreaking European epidemiological surveillance program that leverages wastewater as a real-time health indicator. The goal: detect emerging threats early and protect urban populations across the continent. Veolia will oversee the monitoring aspect of this three-year program and will analyze up to 500 wastewater samples collected from European cities in its laboratories in Spain. Each sample will undergo more than 500 in-depth analyses, targeting a wide range of pollutants, viruses, bacteria, and drug residues. This initiative is aligned with the revised European directive on wastewater treatment, which formally embeds epidemiological surveillance as a pillar of public health. It is also part of the European "One Health" strategy, which will enable the analysis of collective behavior, the assessment of the impact of public policies, and the identification of new threats, while strengthening Europe's health sovereignty. This principle was recently reiterated in the European Strategy for Water Resilience. Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia said: "Being a pioneer means anticipating tomorrow's challenges, and that's exactly what we're doing here, by transforming wastewater into an early warning tool on a European scale. This project is a concrete embodiment of our GreenUp strategic plan: our environmental solutions are also solutions for the health of citizens and the resilience of European territories. We are delighted to be able to bring the Group's expertise in water treatment and environmental health to the European Union, and to pave the way for a more connected, intelligent, and preventive public health system." The project is led by Veolia, in partnership with the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council), Cetaqua (Veolia Water Technology Center), and the University of Santiago de Compostela. It is based on more than ten years of field experience in wastewater monitoring in Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville, covering nearly a third of the Spanish population. Daniel Tugues, CEO of Veolia Spain, said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the untapped potential of wastewater for public health monitoring. This project puts that learning into practice on a large scale. We are very proud that the expertise of our teams is recognized at the European level. Thanks to this project, Spain is at the forefront of a new approach to environmental health, combining scientific rigor, technological innovation, and a commitment to the common good." ABOUT VEOLIA Veolia group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024. View source version on Contacts PRESS RELATIONS Laurent Obadia - Evgeniya Mazalova Anna Beaubatie - Aurélien Sarrosquy Charline Bouchereau Tel.+ 33 (0) 1 85 57 86 INVESTORS RELATIONS Selma Bekhechi - Ariane de Lamaze Tel. + 33 (0)1 85 57 84 76investor-relations@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Euronews
5 days ago
- Health
- Euronews
EU Commission unlocks health funds but leaves civil society reeling from cuts
The European Commission this week finally unveiled its 2025 work programme for its €571 million health budget, EU4Health—a flagship initiative launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen public health across the bloc. The publication ended months of uncertainty and delay, with deep funding cuts already severely impacting NGOs and civil society groups operating in the health sector. A Commission spokesperson attributed the delay to several factors including the transition to the new Commission that took office in December 2024 and digestion of updated mission letters for commissioners, which came in September last year. The need to adjust for earlier budget reallocations was also cited, notably a €1 billion diversion from EU4Health to support Ukraine, announced in February 2024. But more troubling for health NGOs is what the new programme confirms: a complete elimination of operating grants - funds that support an organisation's core operations - leaving only action grants, which finance specific projects. 'It does not mean that NGOs will not be able to directly participate. It's just that we are doing the funding now differently,' a Commission spokesperson told Euronews, referring to this new focus on action grants rather than operational ones. But for these organisations, what may appear to be a mere bureaucratic adjustment actually represents a significant structural shift, as much of their core work—such as on digital health and air pollution—does not easily fit into isolated, time-limited projects. Civil society left in 'survival mode' The delay to unveiling the work programme left health civil society organisations already unable to plan or secure interim financing, resulting in staff reductions and suspended operations. 'The absence of operating grants has pushed many in our sector into survival mode, especially for us, as a large organisation that has historically relied on them,' Milka Sokolović, director general of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), told Euronews. As one of the largest health-focused civil society groups in Europe, EPHA has been forced to cut its staff by 40% this year due to the uncertainty and reduced funding. It's not alone. EURORDIS, the European organisation representing patients with rare diseases, also criticised the cuts. 'It's deeply regrettable that the EU4Health 2025 Work Programme not only confirms the exclusion of operating grants for health NGOs, but also provides few – if any – alternative funding opportunities for civil society,' said Virginie Bros-Facer, CEO of EURORDIS. "Over the past 20 years, DG SANTE [the Commission's health service] has recognised the value of operating grants as the only funding mechanism that ensures meaningful interaction between civil society and EU institutions," said Florence Berteletti from the European Alcohol Policy Alliance. She added that operating grants represent only a marginal share of the EU health budget—just 1%. With cuts in operating grants, many of these NGOs are expected to struggle to stay afloat, as they will no longer be able to fulfil essential roles. EU, a shrinking space for civil society The funding shortfall comes amid broader concerns that civil society is being sidelined. Right-wing criticism of the Commission's funding of environmental NGOs has created a climate some see as increasingly hostile to non-profit organisations. For Sokolović, the Commission's funding of NGOs exists to balance the influence of wealthier private lobbies. 'It allows us to act as watchdogs for democracy at a time of democratic backsliding. Without it, commercial interests will dominate EU decision-making, unchecked. And I must say — this goes far beyond health,' she said. The other trend is a reduced space for health actions in the EU's priorities compared to the launch of EU4Health in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, designed as the EU's first standalone health budget, with €5.3 billion allocated to strengthen the sector. But five years on, and in the absence of core support for NGOs, many are now questioning whether public health remains a true EU priority.
Euronews
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Istanbul mayor boycotts court hearing in expert witness case
Istanbul's jailed opposition Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and his legal team have boycotted a court hearing on Thursday after they claimed that a late change in venue for the proceedings was 'unlawful'. The case, one of many criminal allegations Imamoglu is facing, was over comments the Istanbul mayor made on an expert witness, over the prosecution of other officials from his Republican People's Party, or CHP. In a statement, the CHP said neither Imamoglu nor his legal team would attend Thursday's hearing due to a change in venue through 'unlawful procedures.' Imamoglu, in a post from jail, described the hearing as 'irregular' and said it 'does not comply with the principles of the trial. I refuse to be a part of such a process and therefore I will not attend this hearing.' CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Ozgur Celik posted on X that the mayor's hearing had been moved from Caglayan courthouse in central Istanbul, to Silivri prison – where Imamoglu is being held – in western Istanbul, only 24 hours earlier. Imamoglu was arrested in almost three months ago, alongside other prominent political figures. His home was raided early morning on 19 March, as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and links to terror organisations. His arrest triggered weeks of nationwide protests calling for his release. Protesters believe Imamoglu, seen by many as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival in the next presidential elections, was arrested for political reasons. The protests, which often turned violent, results in hundreds of arrests, many of whom are also on trial for 'inciting violence'. The demonstrations were the biggest Turkey has seen in over a decade. A conviction in any of the cases Imamoglu is facing could see the Istanbul mayor banned from holding or running for public office. Prosecutors have requested a prison sentence of two to four years and a political ban on charges of 'attempting to influence' an expert witness in the case. The hearing was adjourned to 26 September. Emerging priorities such as defence and competitiveness are increasingly drawing resources away from other sectors, raising concerns that health – a key focus of the previous EU mandate – may pay the highest price in the upcoming long-term EU budget. The European Commission is expected to unveil its proposal for the next seven-year budget in July. However, early leaks and mounting speculation suggest that the dedicated health fund could be merged with broader funding instruments, or potentially scrapped altogether. Although health policy is primarily the responsibility of national governments, EU member states allocated €5.3 billion for health through the EU4Health programme in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked the first time a standalone health budget was created at the EU level. Prior to this, EU health initiatives operated with much smaller resources: The health programme for 2014–2020 had a total budget of just €450 million, significantly less than EU4Health. Since its launch, EU4Health has financed a range of initiatives, such as a recent €1.3 million project to address the nursing shortage across Europe by promoting the profession in countries most affected. Yet many fear that the programme will not survive the next programming cycle. Even some EU officials have hinted that EU4Health may have been a one-time measure. Lawmakers have raised alarms about the potential disappearance of EU4Health and its impact on flagship initiatives from the previous term, such as the Beating Cancer Plan. Croatian MEP Tomislav Sokol pointed out the importance of maintaining a dedicated health budget since health has become one of the most important topics in the EU after the pandemic. For this reason, the EU has opted to create a separate health programme within the bloc's budget to support initiatives like the EU health data space and the European reference networks. 'If we're not able to protect this, I'm afraid this will all be diluted and absorbed by some other big funds in the budget, and we will lose this focus on healthcare that we have now,' he told Euronews. Sokol also cited newer priorities like the Critical Medicines Act, arguing that they, too, will require substantial EU funding. "Of course, healthcare remains largely a national responsibility, but EU support is needed to create a level playing field across member states," he added. Concerns over future health investment stem in part from recent budget reallocations. In February 2024, approximately €1 billion was redirected from EU4Health to help finance an aid package for Ukraine. The looming cuts are causing anxiety in the health sector. The PHSSR – a coalition of academics, policymakers, and politicians working on sustainable health systems – highlighted the need for continued investment in a recent report ahead of the Commission's proposal. In an interview with Euronews, AstraZeneca senior vice-president Greg Rossi, who participated in the PHSSR, stressed that Europe risks falling behind in life sciences. "We're seeing massive innovation and opportunity in improving health outcomes. My area, cancer, has seen extraordinary advances in the last 10 to 15 years. But Europe is losing ground," he said, adding that research and development funding has declined, with clinical trials increasingly moving out of Europe. He warned that, without specific health investment initiatives like a dedicated EU health funding, access to innovation will worsen, health outcomes will deteriorate, and Europe's competitive edge will erode. 'Health is an investment to be made, not a cost to be managed. And if we do so, we'll improve the health and the wealth of our countries,' he said. The European Commission is preparing a comprehensive overhaul of the its long-term budget, also known as Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2027. The aim is to make it simpler, more effective, and more aligned with evolving policy priorities. Currently, the MFF stands at around €1.2 trillion – roughly 1% of the EU's GDP. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is considering a major restructuring of the MFF for 2028–2034, possibly moving away from the current system of over 50 EU-level programmes. Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin previously indicated that the next budget proposal will focus on "fewer, more focused programmes" and a more strategic, ambitious framework. The European Commission's proposal, expected in mid-July, will offer the first concrete signal of what lies ahead for health funding in the EU.
Euronews
12-06-2025
- Health
- Euronews
EU long-term budget: Is health funding on the chopping block?
Emerging priorities such as defence and competitiveness are increasingly drawing resources away from other sectors, raising concerns that health – a key focus of the previous EU mandate – may pay the highest price in the upcoming long-term EU budget. The European Commission is expected to unveil its proposal for the next seven-year budget in July. However, early leaks and mounting speculation suggest that the dedicated health fund could be merged with broader funding instruments, or potentially scrapped altogether. Although health policy is primarily the responsibility of national governments, EU member states allocated €5.3 billion for health through the EU4Health programme in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked the first time a standalone health budget was created at the EU level. Prior to this, EU health initiatives operated with much smaller resources: The health programme for 2014–2020 had a total budget of just €450 million, significantly less than EU4Health. Since its launch, EU4Health has financed a range of initiatives, such as a recent €1.3 million project to address the nursing shortage across Europe by promoting the profession in countries most affected. Yet many fear that the programme will not survive the next programming cycle. Even some EU officials have hinted that EU4Health may have been a one-time measure. Lawmakers have raised alarms about the potential disappearance of EU4Health and its impact on flagship initiatives from the previous term, such as the Beating Cancer Plan. Croatian MEP Tomislav Sokol pointed out the importance of maintaining a dedicated health budget since health has become one of the most important topics in the EU after the pandemic. For this reason, the EU has opted to create a separate health programme within the bloc's budget to support initiatives like the EU health data space and the European reference networks. 'If we're not able to protect this, I'm afraid this will all be diluted and absorbed by some other big funds in the budget, and we will lose this focus on healthcare that we have now,' he told Euronews. Sokol also cited newer priorities like the Critical Medicines Act, arguing that they, too, will require substantial EU funding. "Of course, healthcare remains largely a national responsibility, but EU support is needed to create a level playing field across member states," he added. Concerns over future health investment stem in part from recent budget reallocations. In February 2024, approximately €1 billion was redirected from EU4Health to help finance an aid package for Ukraine. The looming cuts are causing anxiety in the health sector. The PHSSR – a coalition of academics, policymakers, and politicians working on sustainable health systems – highlighted the need for continued investment in a recent report ahead of the Commission's proposal. In an interview with Euronews, AstraZeneca senior vice-president Greg Rossi, who participated in the PHSSR, stressed that Europe risks falling behind in life sciences. "We're seeing massive innovation and opportunity in improving health outcomes. My area, cancer, has seen extraordinary advances in the last 10 to 15 years. But Europe is losing ground," he said, adding that research and development funding has declined, with clinical trials increasingly moving out of Europe. He warned that, without specific health investment initiatives like a dedicated EU health funding, access to innovation will worsen, health outcomes will deteriorate, and Europe's competitive edge will erode. 'Health is an investment to be made, not a cost to be managed. And if we do so, we'll improve the health and the wealth of our countries,' he said. The European Commission is preparing a comprehensive overhaul of the its long-term budget, also known as Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2027. The aim is to make it simpler, more effective, and more aligned with evolving policy priorities. Currently, the MFF stands at around €1.2 trillion – roughly 1% of the EU's GDP. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is considering a major restructuring of the MFF for 2028–2034, possibly moving away from the current system of over 50 EU-level programmes. Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin previously indicated that the next budget proposal will focus on "fewer, more focused programmes" and a more strategic, ambitious framework. The European Commission's proposal, expected in mid-July, will offer the first concrete signal of what lies ahead for health funding in the EU.
Business Wire
06-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Ethris Receives €10 Million EU4Health Grant to Support Clinical Development and Expand Antiviral Applications of Lead mRNA Candidate ETH47
MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ethris GmbH, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering next-generation RNA therapeutics and vaccines, today announced that it was awarded a €10 million grant from EU4Health, the EU's largest health programme committed to a healthier European Union. The funding will support NoVir, a comprehensive project including several preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate the potential of ETH47, Ethris' lead, first-in-class mRNA-based antiviral therapy. Designed as a broad-spectrum antiviral with a virus- and mutation-independent mechanism of action, ETH47 offers a promising approach for pandemic preparedness. 'The EU4Health grant is a significant validation of ETH47's pioneering approach and its potential to offer a paradigm shift in the treatment and prevention of respiratory and broader systemic infections,' said Dr. Carsten Rudolph, CEO of Ethris. 'ETH47's ability to act at virus entry sites, combined with its room-temperature stability and potential synergy with existing antivirals, positions it as a differentiated and scalable solution for pandemic preparedness. The funding enables us to advance ETH47's clinical development and explore its wider applications beyond respiratory conditions, to address additional critical unmet needs in high-risk populations.' The NoVir study will run from May 1, 2025, to April 31, 2027 and will include the following projects: A clinical rhinovirus challenge study in asthmatic and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, populations at high risk for severe viral infections. A clinical study in healthy volunteers infected with influenza to assess ETH47's antiviral efficacy. Preclinical research exploring ETH47's protective effects against paramyxoviruses, orthomyxoviruses, coronaviridae, and bunyaviruses, including those responsible for viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs). Investigation into ETH47's impact on intravaginal, ocular, and systemic infections, through multiple routes of administration, expanding its potential use beyond respiratory illnesses. Evaluation of ETH47's ability to enhance the efficacy of existing antiviral treatments through synergistic effects. NoVir includes collaborations with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Aarhus University for the preclinical research of ETH47's protective effect against different virus classes and via different infection routes. The universities' research is driven by their leading virology laboratories, which empower the project with expertise in virus systems and their replication, as well as with their established cell and animal models. The EU4Health programme was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is a European Union initiative aimed at strengthening Europe's healthcare systems and improving preparedness for future health crises. With a budget of €4.4 billion, it focuses on enhancing health promotion, disease prevention, crisis response, and healthcare access. The programme supports projects addressing long-term health challenges and contributes to the creation of a healthier European Union. About ETH47 ETH47 is Ethris' first-in-class mRNA-based product candidate encoding interferon lambda (IFNλ) that was developed using the company's Stabilized Non-Immunogenic mRNA (SNIM ® RNA) platform, and uniquely designed to be administered locally to the respiratory tract through inhalation or nasal spray using Ethris' proprietary Stabilized NanoParticle (SNaP ®) LNP platform. ETH47 is meant to induce a mucosal innate immune defense response at virus entry sites as well as inhibit viral replication. ETH47's versatile, virus- and mutation-independent mode of action has the potential to broadly address seasonal and emerging respiratory virus infections, including virus-driven exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma. About Ethris Ethris, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has paved a new path from genes to therapeutic proteins, using its proprietary RNA and lipidoid nanoparticle technology platform to discover, design and develop innovative therapies. With more than a decade as an mRNA pioneer, Ethris is a global leader in delivering stabilized mRNAs directly to the respiratory system via optimised formulation and nebulisation technologies. The company is rapidly advancing its mRNA pipeline of immuno-modulation, protein replacement therapies, and differentiated vaccines, with the ultimate goal of improving patients' lives.
