21 Jun 2024

techUK at HLTH Europe 2024!

Read on for our summary of the key takeaways!

techUK's Health and Social Care Team was delighted to attend the first ever European HLTH health innovation conference!

Following previous successful years of the annual HLTH conferences in the United States, this event marked the inaugural European edition of the conference series.

Taking place in Amsterdam in June 2024, the event featured an action-packed agenda, with over 400 speakers and more than 3,500 attendees gathering to showcase and discuss topical issues shaping the current and future health innovation landscape.

Key themes at HLTH Europe 2024

Artificial intelligence

In keeping with continued widespread interest in AI technologies, the topic of artificial intelligence in healthcare was a significant source of discussion throughout the conference, both on and off the stage.

Several panels discussed barriers and enabling factors to building trust in relation to artificial intelligence, and it was clear there is an outstanding need for real-world evidence and strong evaluation of AI tools which have been applied in healthcare settings. Additionally, we need greater understanding of what the optimal use cases are, as well as the return on investment difference compared to settings which do not utilise AI-based tools. Greater transparency and clear guiding principles are anticipated to be factors which support trust in AI technologies, and improving the education of healthcare professionals and patients regarding where and why AI tools are used is also key.

Several companies took to the floor to make announcements during the conference. For example, Microsoft took the opportunity to announce the expansion of their TRAIN initiative (the Trustworthy and Responsible AI Network) to Europe. The network is made up of a variety of healthcare organisations and leaders and focuses on the operationalisation of responsible AI through improving the safety, trustworthiness and quality of AI-based technologies used in healthcare settings.

In her keynote speech, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer of Google Health, highlighted the rapid pace of the development of new technologies and noted the significance of digital platforms (such as YouTube Health) in improving access to health information. She also outlined Google’s popular programmes to support AI-focused start-ups to scale their technologies, such as the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI-First programme. Furthermore, this May saw the launch of AlphaFold 3, a new AI model produced by Google’s DeepMind and Isomorphic Lab. She envisioned AI as having the potential for artificial intelligence to “extend and augment” - not replace- existing healthcare tools.

Women’s health

Did you know that closing the women’s health gap by 2040 presents a $1 trillion opportunity for the global economy? This striking fact was cited by numerous panelists and audience members, in reference to McKinsey’ Health Institute’s Report from January 2024, Closing the Women’s Health Gap.

The significant focus on the women’s health agenda and FemTech innovations throughout the conference was welcomed far and wide, with panels addressing the need for greater attention on diagnostic disparities, the urgency to tackle stigma, and to reject historical norms surrounding pain acceptance for women.

A panel session featuring England’s Women’s Health Ambassador called for the definition of women’s health to be broadened beyond the sexual and reproductive health to reflect a more holistic approach. There are numerous benefits to streamlining women’s health services- as opposed to siloed care pathways- including reduced time spent in consultations, reduced costs to the health system and less bureaucracy.

A diverse range of FemTech innovations were presented throughout HLTH Europe, aided by a central stage dedicated to women’s health. From supporting gynaecological health, to navigating health challenges incurred during perimonopause or menopause, to improving pregnancy guidance and conception outcomes, the FemTech market is continuing to grow rapidly and is anticipated to enter a consolidation phase in the next few years ahead.

Collaboration and partnerships

Establishing new connections and a desire to forge international partnerships was palpable throughout the conference. Several European alliances were in attendance, including Health Tech Hub Copenhagen and Barcelona’s Health Hub, which each respectively run their own annual international healthtech conferences which have wide followership.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority presented the region as a leading exemplar of health and life sciences innovation. One of England’s Investment Zones, with 600 companies working in these fields, and with the region hosting one of Europe’s largest teaching hospitals, the region's multiple partnerships (including with Health Innovation Leeds, the Leeds and Mid Yorkshire NHS Trusts, the Universities of Leeds and Huddersfield, and the Northern Health Science Alliance) are aiming to accelerate growth in the health and digital business sectors.

Looking to other trans-European partnerships present at HLTH Europe, the Future4care alliance, a non-profit life organisation supported by companies including Orange, Sanofi, IQVIA, Generali and Capgemini, is convening activities across Paris and Berlin to improve the adoption of new innovations in digital health and accelerate their scaling potential.

The health and care workforce

Concerns regarding a depleting workforce, rising burnout and the unsustainable workloads of healthcare professionals were high on the agenda at HLTH Europe.

While new innovations, such as those incorporating artificial intelligence, may aid healthcare professionals in reducing the cognitive burdens they experience, particularly in relation to operational tasks such as administrative HR-related functions, there still remains a huge need to reduce the increasing volumes of patient flows into hospital settings.

A panel featuring physicians working in emergency medicine settings across the UK, Germany and USA, underscored the need to alter patient flows, improve the prioritisation and triage of patients, as well as review how patients are discharged. The growing need to shift the focus of patient care towards non-hospital, community-based settings is keenly felt across health systems internationally.

Innovative solutions including remote monitoring, virtual wards and teleconsultations have the potential to ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate service in the timeliest manner, which has the potential to not only improve patient outcomes but also improve patient satisfaction and reduce costs associated with hospital admission.

Showcased innovations

The exhibition floor featured a wide variety of innovations from companies across Europe and beyond. Below is a snapshot!

Newton’s Tree (UK) showcased their AI deployment platform
Zerintia HealthTech’s (Spain) presented a tool which allows healthcare professionals to collaborate remotely in real-time clinical encounters
Autoscriber (Netherlands) demonstrated their web application which automates clinical note-taking for healthcare professionals
Posos (France) shared updates on the development of the first drug database which can overcome language barriers
QuantalX (Israel) has developed a solution to monitor brain activity which aims to support the detection of pathologies in a variety of neurological conditions
GE Healthcare (USA) illustrated the next phase of their clinical platform designed for use in anaesthesia and critical care environments

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Above all, the headline message sounding loud and clear throughout HLTH Europe 2024? That innovation is vital if we are to address the manifold challenges facing health systems globally. With increasingly ageing populations, ever higher rates of co-occuring chronic conditions, shrinking workforce capacity, and surging demands for healthcare, HLTH Europe echoed a strong consensus that innovation is essential to enabling transformation and working to achieve improvements in global health and wellbeing.