The life sciences and health ecosystem in Catalonia has an important cluster in the Girona region, with growing representation among the members of CataloniaBio & HealthTech. To highlight this fact and give it visibility, CataloniaBio & HealthTech has collaborated with the drivers of Girona Talent to organise a conference to discuss, with experts and members of the entire value chain, the opportunities and challenges of the health ecosystem in Girona, as part of the events of the week. In this context, a Hospital Connection has also been launched to explore the unmet clinical needs of the ICS Girona and the Institut d'Assistència Sanitària. The sessions were held on Wednesday, 12 June, at La Farinera Teixidor. 

AI in Health 

The first session of the morning focused on one of the most topical issues, which is the present and future of AI in the field of health, for which it has had representatives of digital startups, the administration and the public health system, research centres and technology centres: Carla Zaldua (CEO of Accexible), Marta Aymerich (UOC eHealth), Ramon Maspons (Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia) and Vicent Ribas (Scientific Director of Digital Health, Eurecat). This table was moderated by Jordi Barretina (IGTP and member of the board of CataloniaBio & HealthTech). They agreed that AI tools open immense possibilities for the world of health, from areas as diverse as diagnosis in the public health system to research in companies. One of the aspects that has centred the debate of the speakers is the delicate issue of health data. Also, from a more technical point of view, the necessary combination of interprofessional training demanded by this new reality and working tools. 

This first session was welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Girona, Gemma Geis, and the President of the Girona Chamber of Commerce, Jaume Fàbrega, as well as Mariona Serra (CEO of GoodGut (Hipra) and President of CataloniaBio & HealthTech). 

Girona Health Campus  

The second panel has analysed the 'Girona Health Campus' as a key project for the sector, with representatives from industry and the experience of other health campuses in the territory. Mariona Senís (Medichem), Carles Fàbrega (Hipra), Marga Nadal (IDIBGI), Robert Fabregat (Biocat) and Boi Ruiz (KHABarcelona) participated, with the debate moderated by Xavier Aldeguer (doctor and councillor at the Girona City Council). 

The speakers agreed that the future Health Campus must be based on the cooperation of four pillars: hospital, research, teaching and innovation/business. In the debate, however, it was acknowledged that the relationship of trust between the public sector and the private companies in the health sector needs to be improved and deepened to fully take advantage of the possibilities that the Health Campus should generate. On the other hand, they have highlighted that it is a project that must consolidate the territory, since today Barcelona concentrates 45% of the research. Finally, the participants have highlighted the potential of the project to attract scientific talent.