AI and quantum computing are already impacting the life sciences supply chain, and the biggest breakthroughs are still to come. “What is happening is absolutely wild and the question is what won’t be disrupted instead of what will.”

During DayOne’s “Open mic: Next in health series,” four experts discuss how to chart the future of life sciences with AI and quantum, govern the development of advanced technologies, and navigate through the new geopolitical data superpowers.

Despite numerous studies demonstrating the impressive capabilities of generative AI, its adoption in healthcare faces skepticism and regulatory hurdles. During DayOne’s OPEN MIC Next in Health Series, three experts explored the trade-offs between the ability to assist physicians and the risks associated with hallucinations and bias. 

In healthcare, generative AI (gen AI) promises to democratize access to medical services and information, improve access to data from clinical studies and research papers, take over mundane administrative tasks, or help patients navigate complex health- and prevention-related knowledge.

How to handle health data to extract the most benefit for patients? Check the guidelines for creating a sustainable data culture outlined during the “OPEN MIC Next in Health Series” organized by DayOne – Healthcare Innovation.

Fit-for-purpose data ecosystems

“When we make a statement like ‘no data, no health’ through a system lens, we’re acknowledging the transition of data. Once used to accompany the delivery of care, now data is becoming a valuable strategic asset used to drive prediction, diagnosis, solution, discovery and access to care. “In the opening keynote, Clayton Hamilton, Regional Technical Officer, Digital Health Flagship at WHO Europe, addressed the significance of data in healthcare, stressing that “timely access to quality health data has become a key determinant of good health and well-being.”

The WHO expert highlighted the gap between the private sector’s rapid progress in data utilization and the public healthcare systems’ ability to adapt. National health information systems are challenged to meet the changing demands that have arisen as data has taken on this new strategic importance. The needs for data use – in terms of clinical care, quality control, patient safety, policy, design, research and development, product design and disease prediction – are not being met by the data ecosystems.

Comprehensive data flow leads to symmetry in wealth and health

According to the recently published WHO/Europe report Digital Health in the European Region: the ongoing journey to commitment and transformation1, 83% of 53 countries have at least a digital health strategy or policy to guide their development, but only 35% have policies that govern the use of health data and analytics in the health systems.

Hamilton called for a comprehensive approach to data governance and the development of a “data culture” in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of trust, data literacy and inclusivity. He advocated for novel partnerships to overcome challenges in digital transformation and create equitable, accessible health systems. He urged collective efforts to leverage data for better health and well-being, emphasizing the need for shared values and universal healthcare principles to shape the future of data and digital health systems.

“An effective data culture needs two things. First, mechanisms of trust that are established and recognized by the public and healthcare professionals to give them the necessary confidence to use and share health data. Second, greater inclusion of datasets from outside the health sector, particularly in addressing environmental, social and behavioral factors impacting a population’s health and well-being,” concluded Hamilton, warning that inequalities in access to and use of data will lead to health inequalities and reduced quality of care.

Caution, health data! Please govern with care

You cannot manage what you can’t measure, so data is critical to improvements we want to bring to healthcare. Peter Speyer, Head of Data and Analytics at Novartis Foundation, discussed the challenges of accessing and integrating vast amounts of data for global health studies. He described the project “Data 42” at Novartis, which aimed to harmonize clinical trial data, genomic and proteomic data within the company. It was a 10-year, multilayer effort to link and harmonize data, and make it accessible internally whilst focusing on data standards and governance.

Transitioning to his current role at the Novartis Foundation, Speyer discussed the mission to improve population health and the challenges in finding relevant data sources to assess factors influencing health outcomes. “Thanks to breakthrough technologies like wearable trackers, AI and cloud computing, we have huge opportunities to accelerate access and use of data significantly. But we must ensure that those who intend to use and act upon this data can do so. This involves promoting data literacy, establishing a clear and common understanding of the data’s significance, fostering a culture that values data and maintaining a focus on users and citizens to determine how best to use the data for health improvement,” concluded Speyer.

Healthcare is a “fax-machines-based” sector

“97% of all data in healthcare is unstructured, not due to the lack of technology but culture.” Ana da Motta, Head of Healthcare Public Policy EMEA at AWS (Amazon Web Services), noted that the healthcare industry needs to evolve beyond its paper-based processes.

To accelerate digital transformation, it’s essential to involve all stakeholders, including citizens, patients and healthcare professionals. It requires strengthening digital literacy at both the political and individual levels while building trust in technology, as the technology itself isn’t neutral – its implications depend on how it is used.

Digital transformation in healthcare involves letting go of traditional practices and embracing modern, efficient and secure data management. By fostering digital literacy, engaging all stakeholders and building trust in technology, the healthcare sector can progress towards better patient care, streamlined processes and improved outcomes.

“Data sharing is integral to creating value,” continued Mario Bernasconi, Chief Executive Officer at Well. The Well app serves as a Swiss citizen’s gateway to the healthcare system, an open platform offering personalized guidance based on the user’s insurance model and preferences.

Data integration can also reduce hospital administrative burdens, according to Regula Spühler, COO of heyPatient. Spühler founded her startup after experiencing healthcare paper-based bureaucracy while seeking treatment for her son. Back then, she realized that healthcare was broken because data was unavailable when and where needed. As a result, doctors don’t know much about the patients, and they don’t have time to look for the relevant information in different silos.

Health data is in every data

The integrated care system extends far beyond the realm of personal health information and encompasses a more comprehensive dataset, including information related to insurance, personal preferences and other non-clinical details. Such a holistic approach could tailor healthcare services to individual needs, thereby creating a more personalized and patient-centric healthcare experience.

However, beyond the interoperability, we must strive to make data easy to understand at first glance. This could be addressed by creating health dashboards that provide individuals with carefully organized and structured data with relevant guidelines they can use to enhance their health outcomes and overall well-being. Patients and health professionals are already overwhelmed with an influx of information and options. A simplification of the user experience involves reducing the number of apps and platforms to streamline access and ensure that data is presented in an actionable and comprehensible manner.

The discussion delved into the significance of constructing a legal framework for health data sharing. Only in an ecosystem with a solid legal framework at both national and international levels – legislation that addresses crucial issues such as data protection, governance, open system interfaces, standardized data formats and terminologies and the secondary use of data for research and development purposes – will start to flow smoothly.

Health data standards, trust and governance

Data has tremendous potential to enhance healthcare efficiency, improve patient outcomes and promote a shift from “sick care” to proactive “healthcare” with prevention in the center. The panelists agreed that a collective commitment to data integration, privacy, and interoperability could revolutionize the healthcare landscape, offering a more citizen-centric future.

The discussion outlined six critical takeaways for the integrated care system:

Have you missed the “OPEN MIC Next in Health Series – No data, no health: Digital transformation of health systems”? Watch the video below.

The digital revolution in healthcare is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, reshaping the way we approach healthcare systems. To delve into this transformative journey, the World Health Organization (WHO) organized , the 2nd WHO Symposium on the Future of Health Systems in a Digital Era in the European Region, held in Porto in September, two long awaited post-pandemic years since the first one.

Anca del Rio, Healthtech Community Lead at Basel Area Business & Innovation, represented the voice of the transformative ecosystem leaders at DayOne, one of the leading clusters for healthcare innovation in Europe. She joined the conversation on “Transforming health systems together: Views of the private sector on the future of digital health” and was accompanied by several distinguished experts, including: Tobias Silberzahn, Partner at McKinsey & Company, Beth Wolff, Director of Digital Health Solutions at Lundbeck, Ronan O’Connor, VP and Managing Director at HIMSS EMEA, Peter Speyer, Head of Data, Analytics and AI at Novartis Foundation, and Ana Rita Pereira, Government and Healthcare Sector Lead Western Europe at Microsoft. The plenary was moderated by Giovanni Monti from the London School of Economics and Political Science and Clayton Hamilton, Regional Technical Officer, Digital Health Flagship at WHO Europe.

One striking fact that sets the stage is the incredible growth of the global digital health market, projected to exceed $200 billion by 2023, with the potential to double by 2030. The private sector has played a pivotal role in driving this innovation. However, with the complexity of emerging technologies, healthcare authorities in Europe face the challenge of strategically investing in digital infrastructure to enhance healthcare outcomes.

The panel discussion explored several critical aspects:

1. Digital innovation trends in healthcare: The panelists discussed the latest trends in digital innovation within the healthcare sector and brought in different perspectives from pharma, life sciences, consulting, policymaking, startups, civil society and Big Tech. From telemedicine to AI-powered diagnostics, the healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly.

2. Health system evolution: To harness the power of digital innovation, health systems must evolve. The discussion revolved around the changes required to leverage current and next-generation data and digital technologies effectively.

3. Public-private collaboration: A highlight of the discussion was the emphasis on the need for both multistakeholder cooperation and cross-sectoral collaboration. Whereas private sector innovation is not enough anymore, aligning efforts between public and private sectors to digitally transform health systems seems to be the key to benefit all.

Whilst sharing experiences and best practices in digital health acceleration and meaningful adoption of health innovation in industry and practice throughout the two-days event, Anca emphasized “It is not just about multistakeholder engagement in healthcare and healthtech; it’s also about cross-sectoral collaboration. We should not underestimate the role of building a community around the digital transformation of healthcare that fosters dialogue with each stakeholder (bottom-up) and facilitates inclusive and sustainable top-down decisions”.

The message is clear: Cooperation is key.

The private sector brings innovation, while the public sector ensures accessibility and equity. The symposium stressed that we need to build a community around the digital transformation of healthcare, fostering dialogue with each stakeholder. Inclusivity and sustainability should guide our top-down decisions.

Furthermore, the panel discussion pinpointed the bottlenecks in healthtech startup acceleration and urged the ecosystem to engage all stakeholders, including startups, investors, Big Tech companies, and patients, in open innovation and dialogue. Collaboration, not competition, is the way forward.

In conclusion, the WHO Symposium on the Future of Health systems in a Digital Era shed light on the critical role that the private sector plays in shaping the future of healthcare. Most importantly, the panel where DayOne contributed, underscored the importance of public-private partnerships and multistakeholder engagement to ensure that the positive impact of health technology reaches everyone. The journey towards a digitally transformed healthcare future is a collective effort, and it is essential that we all work together to empower its full potential.

The company from Israel will develop their blockchain-secured healthcare data exchange platform further.

Briya, an Israeli-based company, just raised $11.5M in a Series A funding. It will support the expansion of its health care data exchange platform across Europe and the U.S. 

The round was led by Team8, includes existing investors Insight Partners and Amiti Ventures, and is joined by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. It brings the company’s total funding to $17 million. 

Increasing and accelerating access to clinical data 

Briya connects clinics and hospitals with academic and pharmaceutical research teams, in a bid to optimize clinical trials, ensure regulatory compliance, and accelerate drug discovery.

The company’s scalable data exchange platform enables hospitals to capitalize on their patient data. It has been implemented in healthcare systems and academic institutions, primarily in Europe and Israel. 

Congratulations to the Briya team, who is currently participating in our DayOne Health 4.0 accelerator.  

Read more here.

Secure platform for harmonized data 

Headquartered in Tel Aviv, Briya Labs LTD, is making healthcare data from hospitals easily accessible by pharma and academia, to drive health R&D and innovation. 

The company developed a scalable and secure platform that enables real-time retrieval and sharing of high-quality harmonized longitudinal data in the most seamless way possible. 

Their decentralized solution provides fast and secure access to longitudinal patient-level data that has been unified and matched across sources (EMR, PACS, pathological, etc.) to speed up development cycles, shorten time to medicine and enable companies to reach bigger and more relevant markets. 

About the DayOne Health 4.0 accelerator 

DayOne Health 4.0 is a six-month hybrid accelerator in the Basel Area, Europe’s healthcare hub. Get support for innovating across the healthcare spectrum, from diagnosis to prevention, patient and caregiver communication and solutions for healthcare professionals.