Optima: Fighting cancer with real-world data and artificial intelligence
Treating patients with breast, lung or prostate cancer in the best possible way thanks to artificial intelligence - that is the goal of the OPTIMA research consortium.
But what exactly is OPTIMA?
The public-private partnership IMI OPTIMA aims to optimize the treatment of patients with solid tumors in Europe using real-world data and artificial intelligence. A consortium of 38 partners from 14 European countries, including clinics, research institutions, patient organizations, medical societies, and pharmaceutical companies, shares the vision of providing every cancer patient access to the latest treatments and innovative therapies. The goal is to develop a unique and interoperable data platform in Europe. Various data, especially from everyday clinical practice (real-world data), will be integrated and analyzed using deep learning and artificial intelligence. This will generate new knowledge to further personalize the treatment paths of patients with prostate, breast, and lung cancer and supplement treatment guidelines. Simultaneously, OPTIMA is developing a Clinical Decision Support Tool to assist physicians in making optimal cancer therapy decisions.
The project began in October 2021 and is funded for five years under the umbrella of the European Union's Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). Three years into the project, significant milestones have already been achieved to develop a privacy-compliant and secure platform for real-world data in oncology. Currently, the OPTIMA platform is being tested as an advanced prototype and is expected to be fully developed by 2026.
By the end of the funding period in late 2026, a significant advancement is expected in updated guidelines, personalized medicine, and the use of big data and artificial intelligence in the European healthcare system.
For more information about OPTIMA, please click here:
OPTIMA Website: OPTIMA - Tackling Cancer through Real World Data (optima-oncology.eu)
FAQ with Dr. Hagen Krüger: OPTIMA: Mit Künstlicher Intelligenz zur passenden Krebsbehandlung | Pfizer Deutschland
Podcast: Mit künstlicher Intelligenz Krebs besser behandeln • Charles² – Pharma Insights (spotify.com)
Innovation and inspiration at the premiere of the Käpsele Innovation Festival 2024
For the first time, innovators, experts and the curious from the German startup and digital world gathered at the Käpsele Innovation Festival at the ZMF festival grounds in Freiburg. Pfizer not only sponsored the event, but also celebrated the 6th anniversary of its Healthcare Hub Freiburg, which added a special glow to the atmosphere.
At 4 p.m., the Kickoff Pitch Panel began, where entrepreneurs such as Wolfgang Grupp discussed the transformation of the economy, changing market conditions and future opportunities.
The highlight of the festival was undoubtedly the high-profile speakers who shaped the future of the healthcare industry with their presentations and discussions. One of the highlights was the presentation by our Medical Lead at Pfizer Germany, Christian Lenz, who provided insights into the role of AI in drug development and what is possible in the future.
Another notable highlight was the presentation by digital health and innovation expert Inga Bergen, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Frederik Wenz, Clinic Director of the University Medical Center Freiburg, and Prof. Dr. Christian Gratzke, Urologist at the University Medical Center Freiburg. The speakers provided exciting insights into the future of healthcare and how groundbreaking medical technologies are already being successfully implemented today.
The Käpsele Innovation Festival served not only as a knowledge platform, but also as a meeting place for networking and sharing forward-thinking ideas. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the latest trends and innovations in digital healthcare and to form new partnerships, for example at the evening networking party over a cool drink.
Overall, the festival was a great success for us and the attendees, demonstrating how collaboration between companies like Pfizer and leaders in science and medicine is shaping the future of the healthcare industry. Visitors left the festival inspired and full of new ideas for their own projects.
Read some of the exciting media coverage here (German only):
- Baden TV: Das Käpsele Innovation Festival in Freiburg möchte Zukunftsideen erlebbar machen (baden-tv-sued.com)
- Badische Zeitung: Das erste Käpsele Innovation Festival in Freiburg war ein Erfolg – es war vielleicht nicht das letzte - Freiburg - Badische Zeitung
- Bildergalerie: Fotos: 600 Gäste feiern Innovation statt Musik auf dem ZMF-Gelände - Wirtschaft - Fotogalerien - Badische Zeitung
Health Innovations in Focus: A Recap of the health.tech Conference 2024
The health.tech Conference 2024, organized by Bits & Pretzels, took place for the third time in Munich and has established itself as one of the leading European events for digital solutions in the healthcare sector. With over 3,000 participants from more than 60 countries, founders of startups, investors, healthcare providers, and executives from companies gathered to drive innovative ideas, forge partnerships, and promote entrepreneurial thinking.
The main theme of the conference was digital healthcare with a focus on expanding digital infrastructure, patient-centered care, and the digital advancement of our healthcare systems. There were numerous interesting sessions on the latest developments, strategies, and challenges related to Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, providing exciting insights into concrete practical applications.
In panel discussions or presentations, including those featuring the "Go to the Market Champions," attendees had the chance to gain insights from accomplished founders such as Selfapy, Oviva, Vivira Health Lab, XO Life, and Recare Deutschland on their strategies for bringing healthcare innovations to market. Success strategies as well as the hurdles they had to overcome were lively discussed.
Another highlight was this year's country partnership with Denmark. This provided attendees with the opportunity, in a session with Julian Springer (Senior Digital Health Advisor, Trifolk), Marlis Erichsen (Science- and Innovation Attaché, Innovation Center Denmark – Munich), and moderator Inga Bergen (Founder, VdG Media & InBergen UG), to get to know the innovative Danish healthcare system and engage with leading Danish founders in the field of health technologies.
Once again this year, the Pfizer Healthcare Hub had a booth and was delighted with numerous interested visitors. In addition to many exciting conversations with startup founders, innovative healthcare concepts were also discussed, laying the groundwork for future collaborations. A complete success!
Digital Health Conference 2023: Gateway to Innovative Opportunities in the Healthcare System
Opening Speech: A Call to Action The Digital Health Conference, held on November 30, 2023, at the Alte Münze in Berlin, commenced with an impressive opening speech by Dr. Bernhard Rohleder, CEO of Bitkom. He shed light on the acute challenges facing the German healthcare system, such as the pressure from demographic shifts, the rising number of patients with multiple chronic illnesses, and the escalating costs of care.
Digital Transformation in Focus
The conference placed the spotlight on digitalization as the focal point for addressing the current challenges in the healthcare sector. A particular emphasis was placed on the role of Artificial Intelligence, ranging from streamlining administrative processes to revolutionizing patient care. These discussions highlighted how digitalization could fundamentally transform the healthcare system in Germany.
In addition to the presentation by Chantal Friebertshäuser, Senior Vice President at Moderna, emphasizing the importance of AI in medical research and treatment, another highlight of the conference was the startup pitch session. Thorsten Mintel, Director of Strategic Innovation at Pfizer, and Maria Hinz, Digital Coordinator at Barmer, were part of the jury for a pitch session where innovative startups like nyra health and Oska Health showcased their latest developments.This session underscored the potential of startups to transcend the boundaries of conventional therapy approaches and chart new paths in patient care through the use of AI and digital technologies. The Pfizer Healthcare Hub had some colleagues present to foster synergies and bring innovative insights back into the company.
The conference concluded with a clear push for the digitization of healthcare and marked a milestone for future-oriented and efficient healthcare provision in Germany.