Reuse of health data will be a breakthrough for more effective cancer treatment
A winner has been selected in the pilot project, centred on the secondary use of health data for startups, whose faster development of a solution for more effective cancer therapy will be facilitated by personalized Lithuanian health data. This is BrachyDose, a startup developing a dosimetry system for treatment quality assurance and control for one of the most common cancer treatments, brachytherapy procedures.
“The lack of reliable health data limits the commercialization of R&D and innovation. Secondary health data will help train one of our algorithms to better ensure the effectiveness of therapeutic procedures. This data will also allow us to better understand the costs associated with cancer patients in the Lithuanian health system and the extent of side effects from radiotherapy. This comprehensive data set is a reliable and comprehensive source, allowing us to develop solutions tailored to both patients and physicians and create strategies for expanding into countries, such as Germany and France”, Neringa Šeperienė, founder of BrachyDose, commented on the importance of data for the development of the idea.
Launched in February, the pilot project attracted 10 startups. A panel of representatives from the project’s initiating organizations selected the winner. These organizations include EIT Health RIS Hub Lithuania, partly coordinated by the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), LSMU Hospital Kaunas Clinics, LSMU Kaunas Hospital, Vilnius University Santaros Clinics’ Biobank, the State Data Agency, the Innovation Agency, the law firm Ellex, and the venture capital fund Baltic Sandbox Ventures.
“We are thrilled with the great success of this project. Beyond supporting the winner, it has inspired other startups to leverage health data for innovation. We are already collaborating with two additional startups, which will soon submit applications to the State Data Agency. Additionally, we have received an application from a startup that would like to leverage biobank data to develop its innovative treatment solution. Given the uniqueness of their concept and specific data needs, our partners decided to continue collaborating with them. We believe that we will soon hear more success stories that will further drive data-driven innovation”, Inga Kanapeckienė, Coordinator of EIT Health RIS Hub Lithuania and Project Manager at the Health Innovation Development Centre at LSMU, noted.
“Possibility for business to safely use health data is still being developed in many countries of the world, and in Lithuania it has been actively provided for the second year. We are glad that renowned universities, the private sector, and startups can apply to the State Data Agency as equals. When we receive an application, our team helps the client understand the legal nuances of the process, refine the idea to a specific data need, and then securely prepare the data itself, always ensuring patient privacy. BrachyDose is a complex topic, so we also consulted with the specialists of the State Health Insurance Fund. I hope that this project will help make our services even more transparent, faster and more convenient”, Dr Julius Juodakis, Head of the Health Data Team at the State Data Agency, mentioned.
Health data is the key to innovation success
This project marks a wide step from theoretical discussions to the targeted, and proactive reuse of health data for more innovation. Its goal is to empower life sciences startups to harness personalized health data, to position Lithuania as a leader in research and innovation, closing gaps with other EU countries.
“This pilot project in Lithuania forms an important synergy with the report Implementing the European Health Data Space prepared by EIT Health and the ongoing actions to centralize European health data. Therefore, our initiative not only integrates local efforts into a wider European context, but also contributes to the common goals of the European Union – to create a secure and efficient health data space that will promote innovation, improve patient care and strengthen healthcare systems throughout the region,” I. Kanapeckienė stressed.
“The use of health data occupies a special place in the life science sector: health data is the raw material needed by scientists, businesses to create innovative solutions in the health care sector, policy makers and other participants in this ecosystem, therefore their mastery is necessary and significant. Currently, the progress of health innovation in the world is going through a golden age: various latest technologies are enabled, effective use of data makes treatment more targeted, innovative and effective. The winners chosen in the project, the start-up BrachyDose, are an excellent and influential example of how the effective use of health data promotes digital innovation and increases the competitiveness of Lithuania", Oleg Niakšu, Deputy Health Minister, remarked.
Aiming to turn the pilot into a long-term mechanism for promoting innovation
It is hoped that this pilot will not only help to learn lessons, but also provide a long-term impetus to help startups integrate health data more effectively into their solutions and thus create more value for society.
The availability and effective use of health data are key factors that can transform Lithuania’s health innovation ecosystem, making the country more competitive globally. It is crucial to ensure that health data is used responsibly, adhering to legal and ethical standards, while encouraging businesses to seize this unique opportunity.
The success of this initiative was underpinned by strong cross-sectoral partnerships. “We are very grateful to our partners who not only supported the projects idea but also actively participated throughout the process. Each partner made invaluable contributions to this successful outcome. Our joint efforts will not only further this project but also open up new opportunities for using health data to drive innovation”, I. Kanapeckienėconcluded.