Ref. Ares(2019)5481601 - 30/08/2019
o Such platform would generate innovations addressing needs and challenges of the healthcare systems,
for the benefit of patients and citizens, and for healthcare industry to bring to markets. Such platform
would provide evidences on the value of these innovations for patients, healthcare outcomes and
healthcare systems, notably via pilots and demonstrators.
o It was recognised that digitalisation would be an important enabler, and that consequently, appropriate
digital companies need to contribute to such partnership.
o The potential role in the partnership of public institutions other than EU (e.g. national/local healthcare
authorities) was discussed, notably at
the level of idea generation, to ensure that the needs and
challenges of the healthcare systems are being addressed. Further discussions will need to take place on
this issue and how this could be implemented.
o It was also recognised that a broader stakeholder consultation would be needed to feed in these
discussions and quickly agree on common aims.
− Expected impacts:
o From the EC point of view, impacts could be expected on: Delivering innovations, methods, etc.,
combining various technologies; Providing evidences and solutions conducive to the regulatory
environment; Better understanding the economic impact of integrated healthcare and building new
business models; Developing data solutions (e.g. in the field of real world data) for R&I needs and
interoperable with healthcare systems; Delivering standards and establishing
interconnectivity/interoperability between industrial sectors, and with public operators; Bringing
evidences for more efficient healthcare systems and contributing to improving their sustainability.
o The industry representatives questioned how much some of these impacts identified by the EC should
not instead be considered as expected outcomes.
o From the industry point of view, the initiative should have impacts on the citizens/patients, healthcare
systems, healthcare professionals and the industries themselves, which were briefly listed in the
meeting.
o What should be considered as outputs
versus impacts will need to be further reflected upon.
− Expected areas:
o From the EC point of view, examples of areas could cover themes such as chronic diseases and co-
morbidities, diabetes in the home and hospital environment, or brain disorders. The industry
representatives also mentioned other areas such as cancer and infectious diseases.
o The EC expressed the view that such partnership should remain focused, potentially around only few
areas. The industry however pointed out that the focus should not be too limiting. The actual areas
should indeed enable effective commitment from companies, in particular in view of mobilising in-kind
contributions. It was however agreed that industry would identify concrete examples with expected
impacts and deliverables, and show how relevant they are for the full/broader sector.
Action points:
− EC to share with industry the slides about the “To-Reach” project (document attached to this e-mail)
− EC to share with industry the draft Strategic R&I Agenda from the “To-Reach” project (provided that the
consortium agrees with sharing this document)
− Industry to share with EC a two-pager summarising the industries' position on the objectives, expected impacts,
and examples of areas with concrete examples of impacts expected and deliverables, as well as demonstrating
how relevant they are for the full/broader sector
− Industry and EC to identify stakeholders that should be involved, and a path for consulting these stakeholders
Issues to be addressed at next meeting, on 18 October 2018:
− Governance issues (including the role of member states, of regulators, how to bring in other funders)
− When and how to expect the commitment from industry
− Funding models and contributions (including eligibility for funding, contributions expected, in-kind incurred
outside Europe and impact of Brexit)
− Discussion on the 2-pager proposed by industry
− Types of stakeholders to be involved in the partnership, and discussion on how and when to reach out to them
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− EC to answer to specific questions from industry in interpreting the selection criteria for new European
Partnerships as proposed in the Horizon Europe EC proposal
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