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Mes: mayo 2026

COMPASS brings its innovative cardio-oncology approach to MedTech Forum 2026

Posted on by Beatriz

The COMPASS project was showcased at MedTech Forum 2026 in Stockholm through a poster presentation, highlighting the project’s multidisciplinary approach to advancing cardio-oncology care in Europe.

Last week, the MedTech Forum once again confirmed its position as one of Europe’s leading conferences for the medical technology sector. Held this year in Stockholm, the event brought together healthcare professionals, industry leaders, innovators and policymakers from across Europe to discuss the future of medical technology, digital health and innovation in healthcare systems.

The COMPASS project was showcased at the forum through the participation of project partners, including GE HealthCare and the Global Heart Hub, fostering exchange and discussion with key stakeholders from across the healthcare and research ecosystem. Through a poster presentation in the exhibition area, the project presented its vision, objectives and multidisciplinary approach to improving cardiovascular care for cancer patients and survivors through innovation, artificial intelligence and integrated care pathways.

Reflecting on the forum, Annamaria Csizmadia, European External Funding CoE Director at GE HealthCare, emphasised the value of collaboration and knowledge exchange across the European healthcare ecosystem: “The real value of these events always lies in the conversations, the exchange of perspectives, and the new opportunities for collaboration”.

Participants and attendees during MedTech Forum 2026
Annamaria Csizmadia from GE HealthCare and Marta Bragagnolo from Global Heart Hub

A collaborative space for the future of healthcare

The MedTech Forum 2026 focused on some of the most pressing topics currently shaping the European healthcare landscape, including the evolving EU regulatory landscape and policy priorities, the growing impact of digital health and AI, the improvement of patient access to innovation, and the development of more sustainable and resilient healthcare systems.

For the COMPASS consortium, these discussions closely reflect the project’s own mission: advancing more integrated, personalised and patient-centred approaches to cardio-oncology care through innovation, AI and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Worthy of note was also the strong presence of the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) throughout the event and its importance in supporting collaborative innovation across Europe. “IHI plays a critical role in fostering cross-sector collaboration between industry, academia, and healthcare stakeholders to drive meaningful, patient-centered innovation”, highlighted Annamaria Csizmadia. She further emphasised the importance of initiatives such as COMPASS “to accelerate the translation of research into real-world clinical impact, solution and to strengthen Europe’s innovation ecosystem”.

As one of the leading industrial partners in the COMPASS consortium, GE HealthCare contributes expertise in medical imaging, artificial intelligence and digital health technologies, supporting the development and validation of innovative imaging approaches, AI-driven tools and integrated digital solutions for cardio-oncology care.

Who makes COMPASS possible?

Bringing cardio-oncology innovation to the MedTech community

Participation in MedTech Forum 2026 represented an important opportunity to increase the visibility of COMPASS within the European MedTech and digital health ecosystem, while contributing to ongoing conversations around the future implementation of innovative healthcare solutions.

The forum also provided an opportunity to reflect on how many of the current priorities in healthcare innovation are already converging in practice across European collaborative projects.

For the consortium, events like this are essential not only for disseminating project objectives and innovations, but also for strengthening connections with stakeholders working towards more integrated, accessible and personalised healthcare systems.

Why clinical trials matter for the future of cardio-oncology in COMPASS

Posted on by Beatriz

On the occasion of International Clinical Trials Day, COMPASS highlights the essential role of clinical research in advancing more personalised, preventive and patient-centred cardio-oncology care across Europe.

Patients and survivors are at the centre of the COMPASS project, guiding the development of more personalised, preventive and connected cardio-oncology care pathways across Europe. Through a strong programme of clinical research combining multidisciplinary expertise, advanced technologies and patient-centred approaches, the project aims to improve how cardiovascular complications in cancer patients and survivors are predicted, detected and managed, helping translate scientific innovation into real clinical benefit.

On the occasion of International Clinical Trials Day, celebrated every year on 20 May, COMPASS highlights the essential role that clinical research plays in advancing healthcare and improving patients’ lives. The date commemorates the work of James Lind, who conducted one of the earliest recorded clinical trials in 1747, laying the foundations for modern evidence-based medicine.

Clinical trials and studies are essential research activities that help evaluate new treatments, technologies, diagnostic tools and approaches to patient care. Conducted by multidisciplinary teams of researchers, clinicians and healthcare professionals, they play a fundamental role in ensuring that medical innovations are safe, effective and beneficial for patients.

Today, clinical trials remain fundamental to medical progress and, specifically, research and innovation programmes, including initiatives such as the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI). They support the development of new treatments, diagnostic tools and healthcare technologies, while ensuring their safety, effectiveness and real-world clinical value.

Clinical research at the heart of COMPASS

From the conception of the project, clinical research and validation activities have been placed at the core of COMPASS, shaping both its scientific approach and its ambition to deliver tangible benefits for patients and healthcare systems.

Over the next five years, COMPASS will carry out a wide range of clinical research and validation activities across Europe. The project will combine prospective and retrospective studies, multicentre clinical cohorts and longitudinal monitoring programmes to improve the early detection and prediction of cardiotoxicity.

Across the project, these research activities will explore how advanced cardiac imaging, novel biomarkers, artificial intelligence and wearable technologies can support earlier detection of cardiovascular complications and more personalised follow-up strategies for cancer patients and survivors.

“We use experimental models of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity to test different imaging probes and assess whether new imaging modalities can be developed for the early detection of cardiotoxicity“, says Borja Ibáñez, scientific director of the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), cardiologist at Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, and group leader at CIBERCV, who is involved in several projects.

Importantly, COMPASS seeks to integrate patient perspectives, quality of life considerations and real-world clinical needs into the future of cardio-oncology care. Through its research activities, the project aims not only to advance scientific knowledge, but also to support healthcare professionals in making more informed decisions and improving long-term outcomes for patients and survivors.

These activities will also contribute to the development and validation of more continuous and preventive approaches to cardiovascular care, helping identify patients who may benefit from closer monitoring during and after cancer treatment.

Call for Interest: join the COMPASS Patient Advisory Group

Building more personalised and connected care pathways

COMPASS will place a strong focus on long-term survivorship, contributing to research on cardiovascular health after cancer treatment and supporting the development of more sustainable and patient-centred monitoring and prevention pathways across Europe.

By bringing together clinical expertise, research, technology and patient perspectives, COMPASS aims to contribute to a more integrated approach to cardio-oncology care across Europe.

“Within COMPASS, CNIC is leading research activities focused on developing new risk scores to identify the likelihood of long-term cancer survivors experiencing cardiovascular events,” adds Borja Ibáñez. “We will compile international databases including around 100,000 patients to develop models capable of predicting cardiovascular risk. In addition, we will analyze the impact of immunotherapy on silent atherosclerosis as part of a complementary subproject“.

As Ibáñez highlights: “COMPASS represents an important opportunity to improve the long-term cardiovascular care of cancer survivors through a more integrated and preventive approach“.

In this context, on International Clinical Trials Day, COMPASS recognises the contribution of researchers, clinicians, patients and healthcare professionals involved in clinical research, whose work continues to drive innovation and improve lives across Europe.

Stay tuned to follow the progress of COMPASS clinical studies and discover how the project is helping shape the future of cardio-oncology across Europe.

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Call for Interest: join the COMPASS Patient Advisory Group

Posted on by Blanca

At COMPASS, patients are at the heart of everything we do. Our project is built on the principle that health innovation must be co-created with those it is designed to serve. For this reason, Global Heart Hub (GHH), the International Alliance of Cardiovascular Patient Organisations, is leading Work Package 9 on Patient Engagement, Education and Training. A central component of this work package is the establishment of a Patient Advisory Group (PAG) which will be coordinated by GHH to ensure that patient voices actively shape the design, implementation and evaluation of the project activities.

The call to be part of the COMPASS Patient Advisory Group is now open! By joining, you will help ensure that the project remains grounded in what truly matters: the needs, experiences and priorities of patients and their families.

COMPASS is a collaborative research project, coordinated by King’s College London and GE Healthcare, that aims to address the growing cardiovascular risks faced by cancer patients and survivors. The project started in March 2026 and will run for five years, bringing together 62 organisations from 25 countries, including hospitals, research centres, universities, MedTech companies, SMEs and patient organisations.

Discover more about COMPASS

What is the Patient Advisory Group?

The COMPASS Patient Advisory Group will consist on a diverse group of up to 10 individuals (patients, family members and carers), reflecting a wide range of experiences, backgrounds and perspectives. This group will ensure that:

  • Patient perspectives are embedded across all work packages
  • Real-life experiences guide research priorities and solution development
  • Outcomes are meaningful, relevant and impactful for patients and their families

Through the PAG, patients and carers will not be passive contributors, but active partners in shaping the future of care. It will establish a structured engagement model to ensure meaningful and sustained participation of patients and informal carers in the co-design, implementation and evaluation of health solutions and treatment decisions.

Who are we looking for?

Applicants should:

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Be based in a European country
  • Have lived experience with cancer and potentially also cardiovascular disease, or serve as a caregiver to someone who does

While we are particularly interested in experiences related to b-cell lymphoma, breast and lung cancer, we remain open to participation from patients and survivors across all cancer types.

The PAG welcomes those cancer patients and survivors who have cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a comorbidity and those who have not yet developed CVD, as an important comparative and exploratory perspective.

We are especially interested in people who:

  • Are comfortable communicating in English
  • Can to process and interpret large amounts of information and provide input on them
  • Work comfortably in an online environment
  • Are committed to maintaining confidentiality of project-related information
  • Are open to collaboration and sharing perspectives in meetings and group conversations
  • Are willing to be collaborative and constructive but prepared to provide and receive challenging input

What does participation involve?

PAG members will take part in approximately 4 mandatory yearly meetings, join up to 2 additional ad-hoc meetings annually. Additionally, they will take part in other activities such as workshops, surveys and online consultations as needed. Their input will directly influence key decisions and outputs across the project. Please note that while most meetings will take place online, PAG members may have the opportunity to attend in person meeting such as the General Assembly meeting.

While the available budget limits the level of remuneration we are able to offer, we greatly value and recognise the expertise and lived experience you bring. Participation will therefore be supported with a modest honorarium as a gesture of our appreciation.

How to apply?

Please complete the online application form and attach your CV.

Apply here

What happens once we receive your application?

  1. The information will be evaluated by GHH staff working on the project
  2. After the evaluation of applications, shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal conversation as part of the selection process (max 20 minutes). This is not an interview, and you are not expected to prepare for it
  3. If you are selected, the next steps will be confirmed in future communications
  4. All applicants will be informed about the outcome

Timeline of the next steps

  • Launch of the Call for Interest: 8 May 2026
  • Deadline submission: 19 June 2026
  • Online call with shortlisted applicants: starting 22 June 2026

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Valérie Balvert at GHH (valerie@globalhearthub.org).

We sincerely thank you for your interest in joining COMPASS and look forward to welcoming you as a partner in shaping the future of cancer care!

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