For the first time in Romania, the Ministry of Health, the G6-UMF University Alliance, and the Local American Working Group (the founding members) have launched the national Health Innovation Hub—a project meant to become a central element of a modern healthcare system, aligned with the strategic priorities outlined in the National Health Strategy 2023–2030: “For health, together.” This initiative develops research and innovation capacity across the entire health sector, yielding tangible outcomes that can be integrated into medical service delivery, ultimately benefiting Romanian patients.
The Health Innovation Hub in Romania fosters research and innovation in healthcare by strengthening collaboration among authorities, academia, and industry. In 2022, we signed a memorandum with our partners from G6-UMF and LAWG, and now this project is launching in under six months. The Ministry of Health strongly supports this initiative, which has a major positive impact on society as a whole.Prof. Univ. Dr. Alexandru Rafila, former Minister of Health
The launch of the Health Innovation Hub, with a focus on clinical trials, is essential for the development of this field. The first project, set to launch in 2023, aims to assess the current state of clinical research and to generate future strategic development directions, benefiting both patients and the healthcare system.Dr. Pharm. Răzvan Prisada, President of the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Romania (ANMDMR)
We are determined to create a unique platform that will encourage young researchers and entrepreneurs in Romania to initiate and carry out complex, interdisciplinary projects capable of transforming current medical practice. Today we are laying the foundation for a platform designed to strengthen Romania’s capacity to generate innovation through Romanian researchers, within a public-private partnership that is unique in the country.Prof. Univ. Dr. Octavian Crețu, Rector of the “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara
Together with our partners—the Ministry of Health and LAWG—we aim to foster the development of pragmatic, innovative solutions for the strategic health priorities in the areas of clinical trials, prevention, and digitalization, working alongside researchers from Romania’s medical academic community through the projects we will launch in the near future.Prof. Univ. Dr. Viorel Jinga, Rector of the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest
The focus areas of the Health Innovation Hub will be aligned with the priorities of the National Health Strategy 2023–2030. Through this initiative, we aim to enhance the research and innovation capacity of Romania’s entire healthcare sector. This once again demonstrates that the academic environment is a driving force for research innovation in Romania.Prof. Univ. Dr. Dan Ionuț Gheonea, Rector of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
We share the same goal within the Health Innovation Hub, together with our partners: to develop and implement projects that will directly contribute to strengthening Romania’s capacity for research, development, and innovation in the healthcare sector. Today marks the first step toward achieving this goal.Prof. Univ. Dr. Anca Dana Buzoianu, Rector of the “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca
Through the Innovation Hub, launched today, and through dedicated projects in the fields of clinical trials, prevention and health promotion, as well as digitalization, we are one step closer to modernizing the healthcare system by transforming medical practice for the benefit of Romanian patients.rof. Univ. Dr. Viorel Scripcariu, Rector of the “Gr.T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmac, Iași
Innovation in healthcare is a priority at both the European and national level, and the Universities of Medicine and Pharmacy are at the forefront in this regard. The experience gained and the results achieved by each of us in implementing innovation projects are a guarantee that the partnership between the Ministry of Health, the G6-UMF Alliance, and LAWG will have a positive impact.Prof. Univ. Dr. Leonard Azamfirei, Rector of the “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology, Târgu Mureș
Through this initiative, we have the opportunity to bring together some of the brightest Romanian minds to work on transforming Romania’s healthcare system for present and future generations, through pragmatic projects rooted in the National Health Strategy and focused on three priority areas: clinical trials, prevention and health promotion, and digitalization.Radu Rășinar, President of the Local American Working Group
We look forward to collaborating with partners from the private sector and non-governmental organizations, international universities with a strong focus on research, as well as within similar projects at the European Union level—initiatives that have the potential to improve disease prevention, enable more personalized treatments, and support innovative research.Frank Loeffler, Vice President of the Local American Working Group
For us, success is defined by achieving measurable performance indicators while addressing topics relevant to a modern healthcare system, such as clinical trials. We are confident that 2023 will bring at least one completed project within the Innovation Hub, with direct effects on Romania’s entire healthcare system.Adriana Stara, Secretary General of the Local American Working Group
Founding Members
Through the strategic projects it will implement, the Health Innovation Hub aims to encourage teams of Romanian researchers and entrepreneurs to develop pragmatic, innovative solutions for the healthcare priorities identified in the National Health Strategy 2023–2030, “For health, together”—solutions that will make a tangible contribution to the development of both Romania’s healthcare system and its economy.
Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health, as the representative of the central public administration and the coordinator of medium- and long-term health policies and strategies, supports the Health Innovation Hub initiative and provides the strategic direction for the projects carried out.
G6 UMF
The G6-UMF University Alliance Association, representing Romania’s medical and pharmaceutical academic community, plays an essential role both in promoting the interests of higher medical education and in creating a common framework for cooperation in educational and scientific fields.
LAWG
The Local American Working Group (LAWG) Association is a promoter of healthcare innovation in Romania and supports the development of public policies that foster an efficient, patient-centered healthcare system with increased access to innovation. LAWG brings together the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology research companies, dedicated to developing innovative medicines.
The strategic directions adopted by the Health Innovation Hub for the immediate future are
Clinical studies
Education and health promotion in priority chronic diseases
By implementing this national project, Romania and Romanian researchers are connecting to global innovation and research platforms. One of the goals of the Health Innovation Hub is to facilitate access to and the exchange of best practices in healthcare innovation, in an accelerated manner, with similar structures at the international level.
