From Ideas to Impact: Emerging Health Technologies in Action

REGISTRATION CLOSED! THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST!

Join us in Brussels for From Ideas to Impact: Emerging Health Technologies in Action, a dynamic two-day event bringing together innovators, researchers and stakeholders across Europe. This is a unique opportunity to connect with key players, explore collaboration opportunities, and gain insights into cutting-edge developments aligned with the EIT Health, EU Mission on Cancer and the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI).

📅 Date: 1-2 June 2026
📍Venue: NCBR Office in Brussels, Rue Belliard 40, 1040 Brussels, Belgium, 5th floor

🔍 The event kicks off on 1 June with a networking lunch and official opening session, followed by expert presentations on navigating IHI and Mission Cancer priorities. Participants will have the chance to showcase their ideas during a pitching session and engage in dedicated matchmaking meetings designed to foster meaningful partnerships.

On Day 2, the programme continues with an engaging mix of discussions and interactive sessions. Highlights include the launch of a major biotech report at the European level by EIT Health, a panel featuring leading voices in research and innovation, and a member-led session exploring the role of AI in health.

The event concludes with further matchmaking sessions, offering additional opportunities to build connections and turn ideas into impactful collaborations.

The event is organised by NCBR in Brussels, the Industry Contact Point for Medical Technologies and Health, the ICP for Digital Transformation, ICP for Industry 4.0, EIT Health,  and NCBR with NCP.

1 June 2026: Aligning Ambition with Implementation: Matchmaking Across EU Mission on Cancer and IHI - organised by the Industrial Contact Points - organised by the Industry Contact Point for Medical Technologies and Health

The program includes:

• 12:00 – 13:00: Registration & Lunch

• 13:00 – 13:20: Official Opening

  •  Waldemar Dubaniowski, Director of the National Centre for Research and Development Office in Brussels

• 13:20 - 14:20: Navigating IHI and Mission Cancer Priorities - Fireside Chat

  • Kay Duggan-Walls, Policy Officer and Seconded National Expert at the European Commission’s Research and Innovation Directorate, Combating Diseases Unit on the EU Cancer Mission

  • Oussama Karroum, PhD IHI Scientific project Officer

  • Anna Apel, PhD, President, Saving Kids with Cancer Foundation, Director of Strategy and Global Partnerships, Hope for Children Registry, National Ambassador Poland, European Society for Paediatric Oncology

• 14:20 - 14:45: Pitching Session for IHI & Cancer Mission calls

• 14:45 - 15:00: Coffee Break

• 15:00 - 17:00: Matchmaking Session

• 19:30 - 22:00: EIT Health Private Dinner (by invitation only for network members)

2 June 2026: EIT Health Convention: Connecting Ideas, Driving Impact - organised by the EIT Health

Connect. Learn. Lead. This EIT Health event brings together Members, policymakers, and innovators to explore breakthrough trends in health, share strategic insights, and uncover opportunities to expand your impact.

• 09:00 – 09:30: Welcome and Registration

• 09:30 – 10:15: Opening and Welcome

  • Thelma Matuk, Interim CEO and Transition Director, EIT Health

  •  Waldemar Dubaniowski,  Director of the National Centre for Research and Development Office in Brussels

  • Normunds Popens, Deputy Director General  for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission

  • Sandra Gallina, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, European Commission

• 10:15 - 11:15 Europe's Biotech Opportunity: Making the most of the Biotech Act

  • Cristina-Alexandra Eftimie, Legal and Policy Officer, DG SANTE

  • Caterina Giovagnoni, Policy Analyst, Directorate - General of Health and Food Safety

  • Montse Daban, President Council European BioRegions, Spain

  • Fiona Killard-Lynch, CSO & Director of Research & Innovation, National Institute for Bioprocessing Research & Training (NIBRT), Ireland

  • Jack O'Meara, CEO Aerska Start-up, Ireland

  • Moderated by Cristina Hertel, Head of Asset Management, EIT Health, Germany

• 11:15 - 11:30: Coffee Break & Networking

• 11:30 - 12:30: AI Agents on the Frontline I Interactive Fringe Meeting

  • Alona Pammer, CTO & Co-Founder at Devanthro - Humanoid Robots

  • Tobias Daniel Gantner, Founder and CEO, HealthCare Futurists

  • Moderated by César Velasco, Science & Innovation Director at AstraZeneca Global Hub in Barcelona

• 12:45 - 12:50: Summary and Closing

  • Thelma Matuk, Interim CEO and Transition Director, EIT Health

• 12:45 - 14:00: Lunch and Networking

• 14:00 - 16:00 Discussion Sessions (each participant will be able to join 3 discussion tables)

  Join a 40-minutes small-group conversations designed to help you connect with people who share your interests, challenges, and goals. Each table will explore a focused topic, creating an engaging space to exchange ideas, experiences, and opportunities.

  1.       EIT Health Driving Consortia Formation
  Moderated by Izabel Alfany, European Head of Ecosystem Management, EIT Health

  This discussion table will explore the added value of EIT Health in driving EU consortium formation, aligning with members’ expertise and leveraging its broader network. Participants will debate how EIT Health can support strong, impactful collaborations, with a particular focus on the new IHI topic “European Healthcare Incubator Network” and the EU Cancer Mission.

  **2.       Is Philanthropy the way forward for Health Innovation?
  **Moderated by Thelma Matuk, Interim CEO and Transition Director, EIT Health

  The table session will explore specific Call by Novo Nordisk on AMR diagnostics and general discussion on potential funding from health foundations.

  3.       Accelerating Innovation through EP PerMed Calls
  Moderated by Kathleen D’Hont, Policy Advisor, Flemish Government.

  This discussion table will explore the funding opportunities available through the European Partnership for Personalised Medicine (EP PerMed) and their role in advancing personalised healthcare innovation across Europe. Participants will discuss how to develop competitive proposals, build cross-sector collaborations, and align projects with the strategic priorities of personalised medicine.

  4.       Accessing Funding Through Upcoming EIT Health Calls
  Moderated by Graham Armitage, Commercial Director, EIT Health

  The discussion table will explore upcoming funding opportunities through EIT Health Calls and how organisations can successfully engage with them. Participants will exchange insights on building strong collaborations, aligning innovative ideas with call priorities. The session aims to foster new partnerships and support access to EITH funding for impactful health innovation initiatives.

  5.       Health Adoption Link (HAL) Europe: Building a network to accelerate Innovation Adoption
  Moderated by Angeles Barrios, Ecosystem Manager, Southern Region, EIT Health

  A collaborative session led by EIT Health to get feedback on the HAL Europe concept:  a proposal to build, nurture and expand a collaborative network, by and for healthcare providers and health systems, focused on real health innovation adoption.

This event offers a unique opportunity to:

✔ Find your consortium partners for upcoming Horizon Europe calls in health, including EU Mission on Cancer and IHI
✔ Exchange ideas with leading experts in biotechnology, AI in health and cancer innovation
✔ Explore partnerships for future collaborative projects and initiatives
✔ Gain insights into cutting-edge research, policy priorities and emerging health technologies

Ready to connect and collaborate?

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, build meaningful partnerships and discover the latest innovations shaping the future of healthcare in Europe.

Use the opportunity to pitch and arange 1:1 meetings.

✅ Secure your spot today!
Click Register Now to join From Ideas to Impact: Emerging Health Technologies in Action and take part in pitching sessions, expert discussions, matchmaking meetings, and exclusive networking opportunities.

Key topics addressed:

✔ EU Mission on Cancer and IHI priorities
✔ Emerging health technologies and biotech innovation
✔ Artificial Intelligence in healthcare
✔ Research translation: from ideas to real-world impact
✔ Cross-sector collaboration and partnership building

See you at From Ideas to Impact: Emerging Health Technologies in Action!

Industry Contact Point Medical Technologies and Health

Industry Contact Point Digital Transformation

EIT Health

The National Centre for Research and Development

National Contact Point for the EU Framework Programme (Horizon Europe)