Announcement of the international conference “Innovations in the Treatment of Rare and Incurable Diseases: HTAR, AI, and Personalized Medicine”

We invite all interested parties to attend the conference, which will take place on June 11, 2025, at the Panorama Hall of the Westin Hotel in Zagreb.

The conference will be moderated by Ms. Doris Pinčić, a well-known Croatian TV presenter.

The event will bring together experts from Croatia and the European Union to discuss key topics related to the implementation of HTAR (Health Technology Assessment Regulation), the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and the development of personalized medicine for treating rare diseases.

During the conference, two panel discussions are planned:

  • First panel discussion: EU and Regional Perspective: HTAR, AI, and Personalized Medicine.

  • Second panel discussion: Croatian Perspective: HTAR, AI, and Personalized Medicine.

Preliminary Program:

  • 09:00 – 09:30 | Participant registration
  • 09:30 – 09:45 | Official opening of the conference
  • 09:45 – 10:00 | First presentation: Mag. pharm. Marija-Jasna Bašić, Founder of Monocytes d.o.o. – Innovations in clinical trials from a monitoring perspective
  • 10:00 – 10:40 | First panel discussion: EU and regional perspective
  • 10:40 – 10:55 | Q&A session
  • 10:55 – 11:15 | Coffee break & networking
  • 11:15 – 11:30 | Second presentation
  • 11:30 – 12:10 | Second panel discussion: Croatian perspective
  • 12:10 – 12:25 | Q&A session
  • 12:25 – 12:40 | Closing remarks: Key messages and future steps
  • 12:40 – 12:55 | conference closing
  • 12:55 – 14:00 | Reception & networking

The following day, participants will have a unique opportunity to visit BIOCenter, Croatia’s first biotechnology incubator and research institution. Opened in 2015, BIOCenter offers state-of-the-art laboratories, office spaces, and specialized training programs for biotech startups and established companies. Its Central Laboratory includes advanced capabilities for microbiology, cell biology, proteomics, and biomolecule processing. This visit will provide insights into the latest research and innovations in biotechnology.

We are pleased to announce our esteemed panelists:

  1. Cesáreo Goyanes-Durán – Expert in strategic investments in European pharmaceutical companies and advocate for patients with Angelman syndrome.

  2. Prof. Dr. Pavle Andjus – Professor of Physiology and Neurobiology at the University of Belgrade; Head of the Neurobiology Research Laboratory.

  3. Lejla Pock – CEO of Human.technology Styria GmbH, a leading cluster organization for human technology in Austria.

  4. François Houyez – Director of Treatment Information and Access at EURORDIS.

  5. Prof. Dragan Primorac – Chairman of the Board at St. Catherine’s Specialty Hospital; pediatrician, geneticist, and forensic expert.

  6. Sara Bajlo – Economist and President of the Croatian Alliance for Rare Diseases; patient rights activist.

  7. Prof. Mirjana Huić – Expert in health technology assessment (HTA); former Head of HTA Department at Croatia’s Ministry of Health.

  8. Josipa Ljubičić – CEO of Proqlea; expert in GxP compliance and strategic development in the pharmaceutical industry.

  9. Antonija Šimunković, Founder and managing director of the Foundation for rare liver diseases.