PRESENTATION

SIS EGIZ successfully bid for the “Support to Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships (SRIP) in priority areas of smart specialisation” tender, published on 14 October 2016, and became the coordinator of SRIP Health – Medicine.

In recent years, the field of medicine and health has undergone dramatic changes. Nanotechnologies, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, photonics, robotics, new materials, new approaches to treatment, big data analysis, sensors, advanced technologies and wearable devices are pushing the boundaries of what is possible almost on a daily basis. Companies and research organisations in Europe and the US are organised into numerous powerful clusters, introducing global products, constantly innovating and mutually opening paths to new markets.

In Slovenia, we are undoubtedly highly qualified in some key areas, which is confirmed by the exceptional success of companies of all sizes. But at the same time, we are also very fragmented, too often we do not convert potentials into results, and there is insufficient integration between the classic disciplines of the field and new providers of medical instruments, devices and equipment, breakthrough innovation and communication technologies.

Organising into effective value chains and establishing the right support services for knowledge transfer, intellectual property protection and recognition of Slovenia as a strong global medical/healthcare brand, will enable creation of a stimulating innovation environment for the health and medicine field. Such environment will have positive impact on healthy and active ageing of the population, and realisation of half a billion euros worth of additional export potential, as shown by studies during the preparation of S4 (Slovenia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy).

Therefore, for the “Support to Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships (SRIP) in the priority areas of smart specialisation” tender, SIS EGIZ brought together 47 key actors from all priority areas of S4 within the field of Health – Medicine:

(1) translational medicine,

(2) biopharmaceuticals,

(3) cancer treatment,

(4) natural medicine and cosmetics,

(5) active and healthy ageing, thus addressing prevention, a healthy lifestyle, rehabilitation and prolonged period of independence for the elderly.

Link to the website of European cohesion policy in Slovenia.

VISION

A happy and healthy long-lived society.

VALUES

Mutual respect and cooperation.

ACTION PLAN

On 7 July 2017, the Working Group of Secretaries of State (DSDS) approved the SRIP Action Plan, except for the sections on “Metabolic Syndrome”, “Diagnosing Neurotoxicity/Neurodegeneration”, “New Services to Promote Active Ageing” and “Telemedicine and teletherapy”. The table of priorities of the Slovenia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S4) and the associated focus areas and technologies is available here. In the first half of 2018, the Auto-physiotherapy and Atrial fibrillation value chains within the Active and Healthy Ageing vertical were subsequently confirmed.

FOCUS AREAS

SRIP Health – Medicine represents five focus areas of the Smart Specialisation Strategy and an additional one, for which the relevant critical mass and market needs have been identified.

1. Translational medicine

2. Active and healthy ageing

3. Biopharmaceuticals

4. Cancer treatment

5. Natural medicine and cosmetics

The investment is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Fund for Regional Development.