Over 600 participants from 31 countries registered for the annual PMNET Forum (Precision Medicine Networking Forum), which, in three years, has become one of Northern Europe’s leading platforms for scientists, doctors, hospital administrators, patient organizations, healthcare institutions, health sector companies, and policymakers to discuss developments and cooperation in precision medicine in Latvia and globally, and to exchange experiences from various countries.
Minister of Health Hosams Abu Meri highlighted in the forum: “Medicine is one of the sectors that continuously evolves in terms of technology, science, treatment methods, and patient needs. With limited healthcare budgets, precision medicine offers a more flexible way to integrate new treatment methods and use public funds more effectively. Precision medicine is no longer a vision for the future – it’s already a part of modern medicine, including in Latvia. I believe that Latvia is on the path to becoming a global center of biomedical excellence, thanks to our scientists, doctors, universities, and hospitals.”
Riga Stradiņš University Rector Aigars Pētersons acknowledged that all forum participants share a common goal—to improve disease diagnostics and treatment through precision medicine to achieve better outcomes. Modern medicine is experiencing rapid growth with continuous innovations and technologies. The forum has become an essential tradition, which will continue next year, gathering the best experts from Latvia and worldwide to discuss the progress of precision medicine.
Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) Director Raivis Bremšmits shared: “Precision medicine is more than just a field—it’s about saving lives and the knowledge and talent required to do so. This area of medicine cannot exist without the latest technologies, and innovation creation means collaboration across sectors and combining various tools, such as digitalization and artificial intelligence, which create new approaches and opportunities. Precision medicine’s key factors are the ability to be faster, more efficient, and result-oriented. Unlike major powers, we can adapt more quickly to changes and find our niche. Thanks to our scientific potential, infrastructure, and skills in collaboration, we can make a significant contribution to the future development of precision medicine.” To support this, a medical technology industry exhibition was held during the forum. Latvian companies and representatives from international companies introduced forum visitors to services in medicine and big data. In addition to sponsor stands by Roche, Illumina, and Novartis, visitors could explore offerings from Bioavots, iGem, Longenesis, Caszyme, The Force Latvia, Bdetect, Fungo, Medon, CellBox Lab, Euformatics, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, and the Baltic Biomaterials Center of Excellence. The exhibition stands for the companies were arranged with LIAA support.
The PMNET Forum featured speakers from the United States, Western Europe, Scandinavia, Israel, Lithuania, and Estonia. Thanks to the forum’s scale, Latvia and Riga are positioning themselves as one of Europe’s centers for precision medicine, research, and innovation.
During the forum, four memorandums of further cooperation were signed. The Children’s Clinical University Hospital and the Netherlands' Princess Máxima Center signed an agreement to establish a Center of Excellence in Pediatric Precision Medicine in Latvia. The Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Riga Stradiņš University, the University of Latvia, and the Institute of Organic Synthesis signed an agreement to join EATRIS, the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). The Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Riga Stradiņš University, and Riga Technical University strengthened their partnership in the research and development ecosystem to ensure modern medical advances that improve patient care and public health. This cooperation aims to elevate Latvia to a global leadership position in patient-centered medical technology and healthcare innovation. The final collaboration was established between the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Riga Stradiņš University, the Children's Hospital Foundation, and the Latvian Pediatric Oncology Foundation to promote the development of precision medicine in Latvia, particularly in children’s healthcare.
For the first time, the health hackathon “Riga iDays” was held as part of the PMNET Forum, in collaboration with Riga Stradiņš University and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology Health community (EIT Health). In this hackathon, students from across Latvia developed health-related ideas, working with industry experts to create innovative solutions to address pressing healthcare challenges in Latvia and abroad.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (AmCham) presented opinion reports, including one titled “The Development of Precision Medicine in Latvia – Added Value for Patients and Human Capital Development, an Opportunity for Economic Growth,” which emphasizes the contributions of precision medicine to patients and the economy. The report calls for closer cooperation among all parties involved to ensure targeted development of precision medicine in Latvia.
The 3rd International PMNET Forum took place at the National Library of Latvia in Riga on October 10-11. This year, the focus was on precision medicine and related fields, such as genetics, functional methods, and the exchange of experience from various countries. The forum gathered those responsible for advancing patient care and medical development in Latvia, and discussions addressed ways to increase patient engagement and tackle workforce challenges in the medical field.
Precision medicine is a new approach to disease treatment and prevention that takes into account each individual’s genetic diversity, environment, and lifestyle. The forum’s goal is to improve patient care and outcomes by advancing precision medicine and its clinical implementation, making it more accessible in Latvia.
PMNET has become a significant event thanks to the contributions of both local and international experts. The forum is organized by the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Riga Stradiņš University, the Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Latvian Pediatric Oncology Foundation, the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Health, the Latvian Investment and Development Agency, and various patient organizations, in collaboration with the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia, the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, and Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital.
More information about the forum program and speakers is available on the website www.pmnetforum.com. Follow forum updates on social media on Facebook and LinkedIn, using hashtags #MissionLatvia, #ESfondi, #investEU, #PMNETforum2024, and #PrecisionMedicineNetwork.
Recordings of all sessions are available on the PMNET Forum YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PMNETforum/videos
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/199370235@N06/collections/72157723198629358/
The PMNET Forum is funded by the European Regional Development Fund project “Support for SME Innovative Business Development” No. 1.2.3.1/1/23/I/001, provided by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency.
The PMNET Forum is organized with financial support from the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation.