Answer given by Mr Breton on behalf of the European Commission

1. To date, the Commission has not implemented market-related studies or calls for tenders involving pharmaceutical factories in the EU.

2. The Commission does not advocate building new factories in a specific geographical area in the EU.

3. Actions announced in the communication ‘HERA Incubator: Anticipating together the threat of COVID-19 variants’[1] outline the Commission’s plans for EU prevention, mitigation and response to the potential impact of SARS CoV-2 variants. The work focuses on five key areas: rapid detection of new variants; swift adaptation of vaccines; a European clinical trials network (VACCELERATE); fast-tracking regulatory approvals; and enabling the upscaling of vaccine production. The Commission will invest in various aspects of the HERA incubator work including: EUR 200 million for improving the rapid detection of SARS CoV-2 variants, such as whole genome sequencing, specialised RT-PCR assays and wastewater monitoring, under the Emergency Support Instrument (ESI); EUR 150 million for existing and new research projects on variants under Horizon Europe. To finance new or extended Advance Purchase Agreements, where necessary, the Emergency Support Instrument may be used and additional resources, if necessary, from Horizon 2020 InnovFin Infectious Diseases Finance Facility and its successor under InvestEU.

• [1] HERA Incubator: Anticipating together the threat of COVID-19 variants, COM/2021/78 final.