On Thursday, 5 November, Assoc. Prof. Vladimir Mozetić, MD, PhD, representing the Kvarner Health Tourism Cluster, participated in the inaugural meeting of the Thematic Innovation Council (TIC) for the field of “Personalised Healthcare”, following the evaluation of expressions of interest and approval by the National Innovation Council.

The meeting focused on presenting the role, responsibilities and operating procedures of the Thematic Innovation Councils, their composition and the next steps in their work. These advisory and coordination bodies operate within the framework of the Smart Specialisation Strategy of the Republic of Croatia (S3), with the aim of connecting the business, scientific and research, and public sectors, while encouraging innovation and investment in research and development.

The Cluster’s participation in the Council’s activities marks a continuation of its efforts to develop the healthcare and innovation ecosystem, in which it has been actively involved since 2016 through initiatives related to the University of Rijeka’s Smart Specialisation Strategy – “Health and Quality of Life”, the Regional Value Chains 2021–2027 programme, and the EDIH Adria project.

Within the “Personalised Healthcare” priority area, project development and investment are focused on four key segments:

• Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
• Medical technology (MedTech)
• Digital health (eHealth)
• Nutrition and preventive medicine

The current funding cycle is primarily intended for the private healthcare sector, which is expected to act as the main project applicant, while the public and academic sectors may participate as partners.

Through its participation in the Thematic Innovation Council, the Kvarner Health Tourism Cluster continues to actively contribute to connecting key stakeholders, fostering innovation, strengthening the competitiveness of the healthcare sector, and positioning Kvarner as a recognised health tourism destination.