Spotlight on innovation: key insights from the extracellular vesicle cluster meeting at the European Innovation Council

Abstract

The field of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is rapidly advancing, offering promising applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and drug delivery. However, the translation of EV-based technologies to the clinic faces significant challenges related to heterogeneity, scalable biomanufacturing, and regulatory compliance. To address these issues, the European Innovation Council (EIC), in collaboration with the Horizon2020-funded BOW project, organized the “Extracellular Vesicle EIC Cluster Meeting,” bringing together researchers, startups, and regulatory stakeholders across Europe. Discussions focused on overcoming bottlenecks in EV production, standardization, and clinical readiness. Key outcomes included the need for application-specific benchmarks, robust manufacturing pipelines, and regulatory frameworks tailored to EVs. The event emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, coopetition, and continued EU funding to drive innovation and strengthen Europe's leadership in the EV field.