Pillar 2: Translational and clinical integration
Research only changes health care when it reaches patients. This pillar strengthens the path from the laboratory to the clinic and connects hospitals, universities and industry along the way.
The challenge
Moving a discovery into practice takes more than good science. It requires clinical trial infrastructure, regulatory know-how, and close cooperation between researchers, clinicians and companies. In many places these actors work side by side without really working together. This pillar aims to build the connections that are missing.
What we work on
- Translational medicine. Research that links basic discoveries to clinical questions and back again.
- Clinical trial ecosystems. Sharing experience of how trials are designed, run and supported, and exploring joint studies where it makes sense.
- Hospital–university–industry interfaces. Ways for hospitals, universities and companies to collaborate on development of methods, devices and treatments, within clear ethical and legal frameworks.
- Regulatory science. Understanding how regulatory pathways work in Sweden, Brazil and Europe, and how they affect what reaches patients and when.
Why Sweden and Brazil
Sweden contributes strong translational research, biomedical engineering and advanced imaging, with close links between universities, major clinical environments and science parks. Lund University is part of the Ideon and Medicon Village ecosystems, and Karolinska Institutet works closely with university hospitals. Swedish medtech companies including Getinge, Elekta and Mölnlycke are engaged in the initiative.
Brazil contributes large hospital networks and well-established clinical research environments. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and HCor work with the Brazilian public health system through the PROADI-SUS programme, and IDOR is closely tied to hospital-based clinical research. UFMG brings strong clinical trial infrastructure, SENAI CIMATEC brings applied research and industry links, and INRAD and INOVA HC in São Paulo bring innovation environments connected to a major university hospital complex.
How the pillar works
Besides workshops and seed calls, this pillar is where industry partners are most closely involved, including in the mobility programme. Research stays can take place in hospitals and in companies as well as in universities, and joint projects can be developed with or for industry partners.
Pillar leads: