AstraZeneca strengthens its alliance with EIT Health to drive healthcare digitalisation and innovation

• The pharmaceutical company becomes a Core Partner of EIT Health to advance towards the transformation of the healthcare system through innovation.  

• “Scientific innovation adds value to patients and represents the best tool to ensure the positive impact of new therapies in Spain,” said César Velasco, Director of Innovation and Digital Strategy at AstraZeneca Spain. 

• “AstraZeneca’s commitment with us adds know-how and structure, in addition to reinforcing public-private collaboration to address innovation,” said Izabel Alfany, ad interim Managing Director of EIT Health Spain 

Biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca reinforces its collaboration with EIT Health Spain, a Co-Location Center (regional hub) of EIT Health, which is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. AstraZeneca has become a Core Partner of the organisation to drive the digital transformation of the healthcare system and enhance patient diagnosis and monitoring through innovative therapies. 

Intending to lead its activities with the European network of innovators through the Spanish hub, AstraZeneca strengthens its alliance to build valuable projects, actively engaging in identifying healthcare challenges for professionals and patients, and collaborating with all stakeholders within the EIT Health ecosystem.  

César Velasco, Director of Innovation and Digital Strategy at AstraZeneca Spain, states: “Our major challenge as a company is to improve people’s lives. It is a complex challenge that we share with other players in the healthcare system who are active members of EIT Health, and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to work together. As EIT Health members, we are already actively identifying healthcare challenges for professionals and patients, fostering scientific innovation to continue delivering value and ensuring the positive impact of new therapies in our country.”  

Izabel Alfany, ad interim Managing Director of EIT Health Spain, emphasizes: “AstraZeneca’s commitment to leading its collaboration with EIT Health from Spain as a Core Partner strategically complements the healthcare sector’s value chain represented by our partnership. AstraZeneca brings know-how, structure, and resources to the network of Partners, driving innovative solutions to the European market for the benefit of citizens. Their presence reinforces public-private collaboration, which is the only way to successfully address healthcare innovation in Spain and Europe.” 

Active role in the innovation ecosystem 

The main areas of this collaboration will focus on digitalising the healthcare system and providing innovation to patients and professionals, with a particular focus on major health challenges such as cancer, cardiovascular health, respiratory diseases, and prevention. 

For AstraZeneca, playing an active role alongside EIT Health in a dynamic innovation ecosystem is crucial, as it allows them to contribute solutions and collaborate with stakeholders to advance public-private partnerships. 

In this context, both entities will strengthen their commitment to digital solutions that accelerate patient diagnosis or enhance healthcare. 

“Only through collaboration among different stakeholders in the healthcare system we can address the most complex problems, including the healthcare needs of the population, promoting prevention, and tackling diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders,” concludes César Velasco.