Five priority healthcare challenges and how technology can help resolve them

Held on December 11 and 12 at the historic Llotja de Mar building, Tech Spirit Barcelona brought together entrepreneurs, companies, corporations and investment funds from around the world under the slogan “Ignite the spirit of tomorrow” to share ideas, success stories and opportunities for the future. 

As in previous years, Biocat took advantage to focus on the challenges and opportunities of healthcare in a panel discussion called “A Joint Trip to Health Deep-Tech Frontiers”. Moderated by Biocat Strategic Foresight and International Relations Director Montse Daban, the session featured noteworthy participants from the sector: Anna Sánchez, Innovation Manager at EATRIS; Christopher Morton, CEO of Elem Biotech; Maribel Bergés, CEO of AffirmaBio; and Esther Riambau, CEO of Oniria Therapeutics.  

The session was structured around ten key healthcare challenges, from which the audience voted on their top five priorities for the discussion: the aging population, health equity, brain health, cancer prevention and infectious diseases, particularly antimicrobial resistance.  

The experts reflected on how deep-tech can address these challenges, contributing innovative examples and ideas from their respective areas of expertise.  

The aging population

Aging is a global phenomenon with important repercussions on healthcare and the economy. Christopher Morton highlighted, “It is important to not only help people live longer, but also to ensure the best possible quality of life.” Some solutions proposed include technologies to personalize healthcare management and services adapted to the specific needs of the elderly, for both the individuals and their relatives. 

Health equity

Another of the crucial challenges is guaranteeing equitable access to healthcare, particularly in rural and neglected areas. Anna Sánchez shared some initiatives connecting medical specialists with benchmark hospitals through digital platforms, as well as the need for more precise diagnoses among groups often overlooked. “One clear example is diagnosing cardiovascular diseases in women, as key symptoms often go unnoticed,” she highlighted.

Brain health

Brain health and the impact of chronic stress on mental and neurological disorders was another topic of debate. On this point, Doctomatic CEO Carmen Ríos highlighted the importance of managing chronic stress and its impact on mental and neurological disorders. The solutions noted include behavior modification therapies and innovative substances, such as microdosing mushrooms, to improve cognitive abilities. 

Cancer prevention

Looking to cancer, the experts stressed the importance of early diagnosis and personalized treatments that deal not only with the disease but also with associated factors like inflammation and fibrosis. Esther Riambau noted “the need to rethink current therapeutic models and adapt them to a younger population, among which certain types of cancer are increasing.”  

Antimicrobial resistance and infectious diseases

Finally, antimicrobial resistance has been called a “silent threat” with a global impact. Maribel Bergés advocated for “a comprehensive focus based on the concept of One Health, which encompasses human, animal and environmental health.” She also noted the need for new business models that incentivize research and development of antibiotics, a field that isn’t profitable for the pharmaceutical industry.  

In short, the panel discussion brought to light that resolving these challenges will take a combination of innovative business models, public-private partnership and active involvement of patients in their own healthcare process. The participants also insisted on the need for a culture shift prioritizing prevention and promoting teamwork among researchers, companies and governments to ensure a healthier future for the coming generations.