Ceremonial opening of the European HealthTech Innovation Center

Ceremonial opening of the Center for Innovative Health Technologies – the largest investment of this kind in Central and Eastern Europe

0n 4 October 2021 in Zabrze, the official opening of the European HealthTech Innovation Center – EHTIC) took place. It is one of the crucial and most important investments of this type in Central and Eastern Europe. The Center is a joint project of the Silesian University of Technology, the City of Zabrze and the Philips company and will play a leading role in the development and implementation of innovative medical technologies. Its inauguration is a key part of the jubilee celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Philips’ presence in Poland. The event received honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, and with presence of President Andrzej Duda during opening ceremony.

The European HealthTech Innovation Center is an independent unit established as part of the Silesian University of Technology in Zabrze. Its key tasks will include conducting scientific research, as well as postgraduate studies, as well as developing and implementing modern technologies and medical devices to improve prevention, early diagnosis and effective disease treatment. Innovations will be focused on research into artificial intelligence, telemedicine and clinical computer science/ informatics. The Silesian University of Technology has extensive experience in this field as for 10 years the only faculty of Biomedical Engineering in Poland has been operating here, specializing in such technologies as biomaterials, biosensors and biomechatronics.

„I am proud that after almost 10 years of hard work of many people, we can open one of the most modern research centers in Europe. The solutions created here will help doctors and physiotherapists in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. I am very glad that thanks to the cooperation we have managed to establish such an innovative center. Together, we have the opportunity to contribute to the development of modern medical technologies, improve the quality of treatment and strengthen the position of Silesia as a leader in cooperation between science, business and local government.”

said prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk PhD, DSc, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology

“The establishment of the Centre is a very good and inspiring example of how science, business and local government can work together, with the support of the Polish state. I would like to express my great satisfaction that such strong R&D centres are being established in Poland, which prove that our speciality is not only competitive products “Made in Poland”, but also forward-looking technologies “Created in Poland”. I am very glad that the Centre that is being opened today is an extremely modern centre where modern technologies will be developed to be used primarily in medicine and in sport as well. I am convinced that everything that will take place in the laboratories here will contribute significantly to improving disease prevention, diagnostics and treatment. This is a unique project in our part of Europe.”

said President Andrzej Duda

Innovation at the heart of Europe

EHTIC – European HealthTech Innovation Center is the result of the Assist Med Sport Silesia Project, which is key in the Silesian region – the Śląskie Centrum Inżynierskiego Wspomagania Medycyny i Sportu (transl. Silesian Engineering Support Center for Medicine and Sport), co-financed by the European Union under the Regional Operational Program for 2014 – 2020. The entire project budget, land, construction investment and the equipment of modern laboratories amounts to over PLN 110 million – including: PLN 72 million from EU funds, PLN 18 million provided by the Philips company, PLN 11 million by the City of Zabrze and PLN 9 million by the Silesian University of Technology. It is the largest investment of this type in this part of Europe.

„EHTIC is to be a specific forge of solutions to meet the most important health challenges, such as an aging population. We want to develop and implement projects that, on the one hand, will relieve the health service, and on the other, will actually contribute to better treatment of patients. It is here that both Polish and foreign companies will find research facilities for the development of their ideas in the field of medicine or health in a broader sense.”

said prof. Marek Gzik PhD, DSc, Director of the European HealthTech Innovation Center

One of the investment partners is the Philips company, which provided a 20 percent contribution to the project. its value, which includes both cash and technological solutions. The Dutch company is also actively involved in shaping the Centre’s research and development programme.

“Throughout the history of Philips, the focus on innovation and the implementation of projects in cooperation with strategic partners have always spawned amazing initiatives that have changed people’s lives and the world around us. Innovation and partnership are also two key words that characterize our cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology, with which we have been working hand in hand on the development of innovation in the field of medicine in Poland for years. The opening of the European Center of Innovative Technologies for Health is the culmination of many years of our partnership. It is a great honor and privilege for us to be able to support the activities of the Silesian University of Technology. It is even more honor that from now on we will jointly create unique solutions and innovations, offering a new quality of medicine for medical staff and patients, all thanks to the facility that we are just opening.”

said Michał Grzybowski, President of the Philips Poland

The opening ceremony of the European Center was attended by: the President of the Republic of Poland – Andrzej Duda, local authorities, representatives of the world of politics, science and business.