Use of data and artificial intelligence, key for advances in personalized medicine
Fenin, with Biocat and Eurecat, organized a meeting in Barcelona this November to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of implementing personalized medicine, as well as optimizing the use of data and technological solutions.
Experts from the life sciences and healthcare sector in Catalonia reflected on the challenges and opportunities of implementing personalized medicine, as well as optimizing the use of data and technological solutions like artificial intelligence at the Innovation in Health Matchmaking event held on November 29 and 30 in Barcelona.
Organized by Fenin, with Biocat and Eurecat, the event aimed to encourage collaboration among key stakeholders like public institutions, startups, research groups, industry and technology centers. The main aim was to consolidate public-private partnership, strengthen the business fabric in Catalonia and position the region as a technological benchmark in the healthcare arena.
“In Catalonia we’ve put ourselves forward to lead a Regional Innovation Valley in Europe for personalized medicine and advanced therapies, coordinated by Biocat with several departments of the Government of Catalonia and strategic stakeholders in the healthcare R&D ecosystem,” noted Biocat CEO Robert Fabregat in his talk. “The various initiatives we are carrying out in line with the RIS3CAT strategy will allow us to take part in transformative projects, boosting regional relationships, public-private partnerships, pooling knowledge and adapting to society’s needs,” he added.
Carlos Sisternas, director of Fenin Catalonia, highlighted the importance of the convergence of personalized medicine and precision medicine, the data economy and technology in transforming the healthcare system. He noted that these areas create “infinite opportunities to improve healthcare”.
Other members of Biocat that took part in the event included Montserrat Daban, Strategic Foresight and International Relations director, who moderated the panel discussion “Ensuring sustainability, governance and reliability of secondary use of health data in Europe”, and Núria Martí, director of Innovation and Business Development, who moderated the panel discussion “Catalunya, generadora de riquesa” (Catalonia, generator of wealth).
Use of data and artificial intelligence in personalized medicine
The first day of the event highlighted the crucial role of data in providing individualized patient care, stressing how artificial intelligence can help improve the quality of this data.
The participants focused on strategies open to Catalonia in this arena, highlighting the need to generate confidence and co-responsibility in the public and private sectors to develop personalized medicine.
On the second day, reflections turned to the clinical arena and healthcare centers. This included analysis of the challenges personalized medicine poses for various professionals and care levels, highlighting the need for pluridisciplinary collaboration. Plus, participants discussed the option of incorporating new professional profiles, such as data engineers, into hospital teams.