AMI-4EUROPE

"Advanced, Cross-Disciplinary & Integrated Medical Imaging for all Europeans through a Network of Regional Clusters and Development Strategies"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Thanks to the developments in Medical Imaging Diagnosis is earlier than ever. Physicians have more information and insight. Care is less invasive and less painful for patients. Access to tests and treatments is easier as imaging procedures are available in convenient settings, such as independent imaging centers. In addition, patient outcomes— from fewer complications to saved lives—are dramatically improved. And we are not at the end of our journey, yet!. The “Next Generation” of Medical Imaging is just here out of the integration and cross-disciplinary use of NanoMedicine, Pharmacological breakthroughs, Biotechnologies for healthcare and ICT combined with standard Medical Imaging evolution. Unfortunately, the healthcare sector is quite diverse and collaboration has been difficult as a result, so the challenge is to build expertise in the development of integrated systems that address unmet clinical needs while providing a solid and consistent network of R&D Innovation groups. Co-ordination and integration of Research-Driven Clusters under the so called “Triple Helix III approach is a must in order to achieve the growth and competitiveness opportunities that Advanced Medical Imaging brings to the European society. AMI-4EUROPE is to co-ordinate, integrate and set up a newly defined EU-based Value Chain on Advanced, Cross-disciplinary and Integrated Medical Imaging by taking full advantage of all strengths that European stakeholders have while targeting the market niches that are arising as the Next Generation Medical Imaging unfolds itself out of the convergence of Nanomedicine, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnologies for healthcare and taking advantage of the ICT developments. Socio-economic impact at European level will be significant. Sustainability and synergy-searching are assured: Many regional governments are backing up AMI-4EUROPE.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Advances in medical imaging require a complex multi-disciplinary effort along all steps of the value chain. A large European consortium developed a Joint Action Plan to unite stakeholders for continued growth and competitiveness.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Medical imaging has drastically improved capabilities for early diagnosis with less invasive, more effective care resulting in substantially improved patient outcomes. However, with so many different kinds of imaging and the cross-disciplinary interaction between nano-medicine, pharmacology, biotechnology and information technology, effective collaboration has been challenging. The EU-funded project http://www.ami-4europe.eu (AMI-4EUROPE) applied a novel model for cooperative and effective regional development in advanced medical imaging with great success.

The Triple Helix Model has become an increasingly relevant framework to address innovation and regional development based on the three pillars of university, industry and government. Their processes and mechanisms interact and co-evolve. For real progress, improved coordination and communication among the three is required. For example, the university must transition from teaching to research to entrepreneurship while industry works closely with academics and government policies favour technological development and commercialisation.

With roots in the Triple Helix Model of cooperation, a Joint Action Plan was developed by AMI-4EUROPE combining scientific and non-scientific issues. It was formulated based on two analyses of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats across Europe. The Joint Action Plan delineates 13 activities and 40 actions, all with an associated business plan. Topics range from regional promotion of medical imaging to support of research through tools and databases to encourage cooperation among the three pillars.

Some of these activities have already been implemented as witnessed by the 'Funding' and ' Tools and Technologies 'sections on the project website. Others will be implemented at a later stage by identified stakeholders and under the guidance of the Advanced Medical Imaging Advisory Council.

Fostering trans-national cooperation among regional clusters and aligning the activities of research, industry and government should ensure that the potential of medical imaging is fully realised to benefit patients and the EU economy.