Biotechnology and precision medicine: Clust-ER Health takes stock of Emilia-Romagna’s BioHubs Network

BOLOGNA, 7 MAY – The new BioHubs Network (biohubs.it) was presented today in the Emilia-Romagna Regional Government’s Press Room. The initiative is coordinated by Clust-ER Health in collaboration with Clust-ER Agrifood and the Big Data Association.

The meeting provided a key opportunity to take stock of the development of the BioHubs, whose collaboration is supported by the 2021–2027 ERDF Regional Programme through the Value Chain Intercluster call for proposals, which funded the “BIOHUB4STEP” project, designed to strengthen links between research, business and technological innovation.

The BioHubs Network was established with the aim of building a bridge between regional biotechnology stakeholders and key European initiatives, creating a regional network of centres of expertise dedicated to the development of biotechnology. It is an integrated ecosystem that seeks to link infrastructure, scientific expertise and advanced technologies in order to accelerate the transfer of innovation to the healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

The Vice-President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Vincenzo Colla, expressed his great satisfaction, describing the project as “a crucial step towards the development of biomedical innovation in Emilia-Romagna”.

“Our aim,” said Colla, “is to create a strategic ecosystem that brings together expertise, infrastructure and technology, guiding medicines, therapies and devices from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside. This will enable us to reduce the time and cost of technology transfer, whilst ensuring full compliance with international regulatory requirements.”

The Vice-President also thanked Clust-ER Health and all the partners involved “for their commitment and shared vision”, emphasising that the BioHubs could become “a driver of growth and development for the entire region, helping to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents”.

The presentation was attended, on behalf of Clust-ER Health, by President Paolo Bonaretti, Director Sauro Vicini and Project Manager Paola Bello, together with representatives from the various thematic BioHubs that make up the regional network:

• Giuliana Gavioli, MEDTECH Hub representative, Technopole of Mirandola (TPM) – Democenter-Sipe
• Augusta Caligiani, BIOFOOD Hub representative, University of Parma and Technopole of Parma
• Valentina Benfenati, BIOSPAC-ER Hub representative, National Research Council and MISTER Smart Innovation scrl
• Laura Calzà, Translational BioHub representative, IRET Foundation
• Elisa Ficarra, Hub for AI on Medicine representative, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
• Tommaso Pippucci, Hub for AI on Medicine representative, IRCCS Sant’Orsola
• Luca Battistelli, Advanced Diagnostics and Theranostics Hub representative, IRST IRCCS Meldola

The project underscores the increasingly central role of Emilia-Romagna in the European landscape of biomedical innovation and biotechnology, fostering collaboration between universities, research centres, technology parks, businesses and the regional healthcare system.