Paul Meller, Brussels

The world patent isn’t coming any time soon, but the EPO hopes that a new series of measures could lay the foundations for patent reform.

The chairman of the fledgling EIT has told Science|Business that KIC applicants with one sole geographical location are unlikely to be picked.

Plans to build a pan-European market for research have won powerful backing from national governments.

The French Presidency made headway on the Small Business Act, but other matters, notably patent reform, were run off the rails by the financial crisis, says Science|Business’s Paul Meller

The Commission and the European Patent office are taking action to eradicate underhand tactics for keeping generic drugs off the market.

Europe’s bid to lead the world in developing hydrogen and fuel cells risks failure because the planned investment is too little, the trade group Fuel Cell Europe heard.

Who’s going to rescue the lab that’s come up with a smart, commercially viable invention, or a start-up looking for second stage financing?

Should European governments favour open source software when they hold tenders for public contracts? Economists and policy makers appear to think so.

The EU has launched a “no holds barred” review of its ICT research and innovation strategy. But critics warn diverting R&D spending to problem areas such as energy and health will hold back ICT’s wider potential.

The European Research Council has announced the winners in the physical and social sciences categories of its first €517 million round of Advanced Grants.