MeDiTATe aims to develop state-of-the-art image based medical Digital Twins of cardiovascular districts for a patient specific prevention and treatment of aneurysms. The Individual Research Projects of the 14 ESRs are defined across five research tracks: (1) High fidelity CAE multi-physics simulation with RBF mesh morphing (FEM, CFD, FSI, inverse FEM) (2) Real time interaction with the digital twin by Augmented Reality, Haptic Devices and Reduced Order Models (3) HPC tools, including GPUs, and cloud-based paradigms for fast and automated CAE processing of clinical database (4) Big Data management for population of patients imaging data and high fidelity CAE twins (5) Additive Manufacturing of physical mock-up for surgical planning and training to gain a comprehensive Industry 4.0 approach in a clinical scenario (Medicine 4.0) The work of ESRs, each one hired for two 18 months periods (industry + research) and enrolled in PhD programmes, will be driven by the multi disciplinary and multi-sectoral needs of the research consortium (clinical, academic and industrial) which will offer the expertise of Participants to provide scientific support, secondments and training. Recruited researchers will become active players of a strategic sector of the European medical and simulation industry and will face the industrial and research challenges daily faced by clinical experts, engineering analysts and simulation software technology developers. During their postgraduate studies they will be trained by the whole consortium receiving a flexible and competitive skill-set designed to address a career at the cutting edge of technological innovation in healthcare. The main objective of MeDiTATe is the production of high-level scientists with a strong experience of integration across academic, industrial and clinical areas, able to apply their skills to real life scenarios and capable to introduce advanced and innovative digital twin concepts in the clinic and healthcare sectors.

Cancer treatment is a significant healthcare challenge, costing Europe up to €199 billion annually. The burden will grow substantially, with a projected 60% increase in cancer cases from 2018 to 2040. To address these challenges, the ScanNanoTreat consortium consisting of Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Maastricht University, Guerbet, Philips, and Inlecom Commercial Pathways is developing a revolutionary theranostic approach combining advanced photonics and nanotechnology. The innovative system integrates Spectral Photon Counting Computed Tomography (SPCCT) with X-ray-activated Photodynamic Therapy (X-PDT) using gadolinium-based nanoprobes. This approach enables simultaneous imaging and treatment of solid tumours, with an initial focus on breast and pancreatic cancers. By leveraging low-energy X-rays and optimized nanoprobes, ScanNanoTreat aims to reduce radiation doses by over 30% compared to conventional radiotherapy. This technology is expected to radically shorten the diagnosis-treatment cycle, leading to improved prognosis and better patient outcomes, and up to 40% reduction in cancer treatment costs. If successfully deployed, ScanNanoTreat could revolutionize the European theranostic market, aiming to capture 10-17% of the projected €493 million market by 2032, suggesting a potential market size of €35-€60 million by 2035. The project will advance the technology from TRL 3 to TRL 5, preparing for clinical trials by 2027 and potential market entry by 2035. Additionally, a business plan and exploitation strategy will be developed, targeting a spinoff creation to commercialize the technology. The support of the EIC Transition grant is crucial to conduct preclinical studies, optimize the SPCCT system, and develop a comprehensive regulatory strategy. By addressing critical healthcare needs and aligning with EU strategic autonomy in MedTech, ScanNanoTreat will radically improve cancer care and contribute to the sustainability of European healthcare systems.

Cardiovascular diseases have been defined as a top priority within H2020. Although diagnostic approaches and therapies have drastically improved over the last decennia, effective, validated and auditable tools for the integrated assessment of cardiac function in clinical practice have yet to be developed. CardioFunXion will contribute to a novel paradigm for integrated assessment, combining (image-based) measurements with (model-based) incorporation of physiological knowledge and clinical guidelines. Project outcomes will include validation (improving reproducibility) and integration (simplifying interpretation) cardiac function assessment tools. These novel approaches will be implemented by connecting the imaging industry with the academic and clinical worlds through a combination of four PhD research projects with dedicated training initiatives to develop an inter-sectorial and interdisciplinary culture. The individual research projects are entitled: Longitudinal assessment of function; Fusion of heterogeneous measurements into physiological plausible representations; Open reference databases/tools for multimodal validation of strain; Novel approach for evidence based classification of heart failure etiologies. The consortium is composed of a large Medical Imaging Company (Philips), a University (UPF), and 2 Clinical Centres (IDIBAPS/CHUC), thus encompassing the whole spectrum of relevant multi-disciplinary multi-sectorial Europe-wide expertise. The early stage researchers in the project will thus benefit from a holistic view of the topic and gain first-hand experience in academic, industrial and clinical research and development.

The objective of POSITION-II is to bring innovation in the development and production of smart catheters by the introduction of open technology platforms for miniaturization, AD conversion at the tip, ultra-sound MEMS devices and encapsulation. Open technology platforms will generate the production volume that will enable sustainable innovation. The availability of open technology platforms will result in new instruments that have a better performance, new sensing and imaging capabilities, while the scale of volume will result in lower manufacturing costs. The production of the “brains” of these smart catheters will take place in Europe, with many European partners contributing essential technologies. The POSITION-II project will consolidate Europe’s premier position as manufacturer of cath lab infrastructure since these new smart catheters will be seamlessly integrated in the cath lab hardware and software platforms. By combining the different sensing and imaging data a more intuitive cath lab experience will be achieved. Looking forward, POSITION-II prepares the European electronics industry for the next revolution in healthcare, bioelectronics implants. Bioelectronics implants are expected to replace a considerable fraction of traditional medicine by direct stimulation of nerves. The miniaturization and soft encapsulation platforms developed in POSITION-II will be the ideal technology frame work for the manufacturing of these bioelectronics implants. The technology platforms developed in POSITION-II are demonstrated by five challenging product demonstrators covering FRR, IVUS, ICE, EP and cell therapy as well as a bioelectronics implant to treat cluster headache.