State aid: Commission approves around €2 million Austrian support to coronavirus-relevant research and development projects by Austrian micro biotech companies Apeptico and Panoptes

The European Commission has approved two Austrian individual aid measures to support two coronavirus-relevant research and development (R&D) projects by micro biotech companies, Apeptico and Panoptes. The measures were approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The aid will take the form of (i) a direct grant of approximately €840,000 to Apeptico and (ii) a direct grant of €1.2 million to Panoptes. It will support two R&D projects aiming at assessing the therapeutic potential of two medicinal products developed by Apeptico and Panoptes for the treatment of coronavirus patients. The aim of the measures is therefore to enhance and accelerate the development of coronavirus treatments. The Commission found that the Austrian measures are in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. The Commission concluded that the measures are necessary, appropriate and proportionate to fight the health crisis, in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measures under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case numbers SA.57340 (Apeptico) and SA.57345 (Panoptes) in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved