Innovation in Healthcare: From Research to Market. SMEs in Focus
The Research DG and Enterprise & Industry DG are jointly organizing the Conference Innovation in Healthcare. From Research to Market. SMEs in Focus, in Brussels on 20-21 May 2010. Different stakeholders involved in the innovation process of bringing drugs, therapies and medical technologies into market will participate. It is the first major Conference on Research and Innovation in Healthcare organized by the services of the European Commission, with as main objective to address the challenges that European Healthcare enterprises face in the current landscape. It will provide a forum to highlight and discuss the necessary policy developments at European and National level and fulfill an amplifier function, widening and enriching the research and innovation debate. This event should also be seen as preparatory for the "Innovation Union" plan . The aim of this is to re-focus R&D and innovation policy on the challenges facing our society, among which health and demographic change. The "Innovation Union" plan, is one of the Flagship Initiatives proposed by the new Commission committing to boost investment in research and innovation, making Europe an attractive place to develop new products. It is part of the EU's new strategy for sustainable growth and jobs called "Europe 2020" which replaces the Lisbon Agenda, adopted in 2000. The agenda of the Conference, consisting of a number of plenary and parallel sessions, allows large space for debate and networking. It will be complemented by a small "fair" where associations and support structures will have the possibility to provide information to the participants. In addition to SMEs, also policy makers, MS Governments representatives, universities, other research institutions, larger companies, industry associations, insurances, patients and patients associations, etc. are expected to participate. The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament and the European Investment Bank are foreseen to attend as well. An intervention of the Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science is scheduled. The outcome of the participative part of the conference will be an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for those involved in healthcare-related research and innovation, particularly SMEs, which will be electronically published and sent to participants and other stakeholders. For further information and registration, please visit:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/health/events-01_en.html