About the Thematic Group Meetings

The Thematic Group Meetings are designed as discussion-based sessions, bringing together participants around focused healthcare innovation themes.

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Each session creates a space for peer exchange and exploration of shared challenges, needs, and perspectives related to specific areas of healthcare innovation. Sessions will be supported by  experts representing different perspectives across the healthcare ecosystem, contributing with relevant insights and practical experience related to each thematic discussion.

Through moderated discussions and expert input, the sessions aim to encourage interaction and knowledge exchange among participants.

Meeting format

The Thematic Group Meetings will take place in dedicated rooms and will be organised as 45-minute interactive sessions with small groups of up to 20 participants.

What to expect

• Interactive discussion-based sessions

• Moderation by thematic experts

• Exchange of perspectives and experiences around specific healthcare innovation topics

• Discussions involving innovators, healthcare stakeholders, industry, and ecosystem representatives

• Opportunity to engage with participants from different areas of the healthcare ecosystem

Session Topics

Thematic discussion topics and participating experts will be announced soon.
 

TGM1

Deployment Done Right: Overcoming Barriers to Technology Integration in Hospitals 27 Oct 2026 - 10:15 - 11:00

• Room: B1.02

• Description: Explore the key barriers and enabling factors for the adoption of innovative digital solutions in hospitals and healthcare organisations. The session will bring together healthcare providers and innovators to discuss challenges related to technology integration and scaling in clinical settings.

• Moderator: Cristiana Costa, Instituto Pedro Nunes; 

• Experts: Afonso Pedrosa, ULS S. João; Júlio Oliveira, IPO Porto; Zuzana Strbikova, Univerzitna nemocnica Martin/University Hospital Martin;

• Main Topics: Adoption barriers; Clinical workflow integration; Interoperability; Scaling from pilot to practice; Organisational readiness.

TGM2

AI and Digital Health European Infrastructures for Startups and SMEs  28 Oct 2026 - 09:15 - 10:00

• Room: B1.02

• Description: Learn how startups and SMEs can access and leverage European AI and digital health infrastructures, including computing, data and testing environments. The session will highlight available support mechanisms and opportunities to accelerate the development and deployment of Digital and AI solutions in healthcare.

• Experts: Mafalda Ferreira, Instituto Pedro Nunes; Pedro Marques, Centro Nacional de Computação Avançada (CNCA) & BSC AI Factory;

• Main Topics: European AI & digital infrastructures; Testing & validation environments; Data & computing resources; Support for startups & SMEs; From development to deployment.

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TGM3

From Innovation to Adoption: Market Access and Reimbursement for Digital Health Solutions – Lessons from VR/XR 28 Oct 2026 - 10:20 - 11:05

• Room: B1.02

• Description: Discuss market access, reimbursement and adoption pathways for digital health solutions. Through expert insights and practical lessons from VR/XR applications, the session will explore key barriers, evidence requirements and opportunities for successful adoption in healthcare systems.

• Speakers: Moderator: Michael Barngrover, XR4Europe; Experts: András Perenyi, Syreon Research Institute & Maria Nascimento, Instituto Pedro Nunes

• Main Topics: Market access pathways; Reimbursement strategies; Evidence requirements; Adoption barriers; VR/XR in healthcare.

TGM4

A National Strategy for Women's Health: The Economic Case for Portugal 28 Oct 2026 - 12:00 - 12:45

• Room: B1.02

• Description: Explore the evolving landscape of women's health innovation and the growing role of FemTech. The session will provide a platform to discuss emerging trends, current challenges and future opportunities in this rapidly developing field.

• Experts: Anna O'Sullivan, FutureFemHealth, CensHERship; David Magboule, Lab to Market; Rita Reis, Merck Group

• Main Topics: FemTech trends; Unmet needs in women’s health; Innovation & emerging technologies; Adoption challenges; Future opportunities.

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TGM5

Scaling Health Solutions Internationally: Market Access, Hospital Innovation & Cross-Border Alliances in Denmark, Sweden and Spain 28 Oct 2026 - 12:00 - 12:45

• Room: C2.05

• Description: Explore pathways to scale digital health and medical solutions across key European innovation hubs. The session will address critical market entry factors, focusing on hospital integration, green healthcare criteria, and cross-border collaboration for startups and SMEs looking to expand into Northern and Southern European markets.

• Experts: Ivan Raríz, Cluster Saúde de Galicia; Diego Angelino, Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare (NCSH); Rasmus Falt & Tejs Jansen, BETA.HEALTH; Ara Núñez Montenegro, atlanTTic - Universidade de Vigo;

• Main Topics:  International market access; Hospital integration; Green healthcare criteria; Cross-border partnerships; Scaling across European markets

Registration

Participation in the Thematic Group Meetings requires prior registration, which will soon be available through the conference webapp.

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Participation in each session is limited to the first 20 registered participants. Additional participation may be accommodated subject to availability on the day of the event.