Meet IHI at the exhibition
The MedTech Forum 2026 will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, on 11-13 May.
IHI will have a stand at the exhibition – staff will be on hand throughout the event to explain our current funding opportunities and answer questions about how to apply for funding.
Learn about IHI during the sessions
IHI projects and senior staff from the IHI Programme Office will be well represented in the event agenda.
Session: How real world data can advance healthcare and regulatory innovation
Tuesday 12 May, 10:00-10:50 | Room 3
By showcasing IDERHA’s practical experience, the session will provide insights into how large-scale data initiatives can support innovation, enable regulatory innovation, and contribute to more efficient, patient-centred healthcare systems.
Speakers:
- Niklas BLOMBERG (Executive Director, Innovative Health Initiative (IHI))
- Anna HALLERSTEN (Head Regulatory Policy Europe, Roche Diagnostics)
- Rita PEETERS (Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs Policy EMEA, Johnson&Johnson MedTech)
- Gözde SUSUZLU (Programme Manager Digital Health & Health Data, European Patient Forum)
Session: Accelerating early feasibility studies for medical devices in Europe
Tuesday 12 May, 14:10-15:00 | Room 3
HEU-EFS is an Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) project developing an EU-harmonised framework to expand the use of EFS for medical devices. By enabling more coordinated and predictable EFS pathways across Europe, the project aims to strengthen early evidence generation and support faster, safer innovation.
Moderator: Niklas BLOMBERG (Executive Director, Innovative Health Initiative (IHI))
Speakers:
- Marta Bragagnolo (EU Advocacy Manager, Global Heart Hub)
- Tom MELVIN (Associate Professor of Medical Device Regulatory Science, University of Galway)
- Alexandra POULSSON (Senior Advisor, Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH))
- Fanny VAN DER LOO (Senior Director Governmental Affairs, Edwards Lifesciences)
Session: Big fish, small fish: you all qualify to join an IHI project
Wednesday 13 May, 09:30-10:20 | Room 5
This session will demystify what it takes to join an IHI project, including practical insights on reporting in-kind contributions to additional (IKAA) and operational activities (IKOP). Whether you are a large company, an SME, or a research organisation, learn how to navigate participation requirements and position yourself for success. Join us to explore how your organisation could be the next to benefit from IHI collaboration.
Speakers:
- Hugh LAVERTY (Head of Scientific Operations, Innovative Health Initiative (IHI))
- Daniel SCHOBBEN (Chief Innovation Officer, Salvia BioElectronics BV)
- Peter ZANDBERGEN (Director Public-Private Partnerships, Philips)
Session: From roadblocks to reality: a cross-industry approach to accelerating AI in healthcare
Wednesday 13 May, 11:50-12:40 | Room 4
This session will explore where the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) fits within this rapidly evolving landscape. Bringing together cross-industry perspectives, the discussion will examine how IHI projects can help overcome practical barriers, align stakeholders, and accelerate the safe, scalable adoption of AI in healthcare—moving from policy ambition to real-world impact.
Speakers:
- Ljubomir MANOLA (Scientific Project Officer, Innovative Health Initiative)
- Saila RINNE (Directorate-General Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission)
- Ariel Dora STERN (Alexander von Humboldt Professor for Digital Health, Economics and Policy, Hasso Plattner Institute)
About the MedTech Forum
The MedTech Forum is the largest health and medical technology industry conference in Europe and a key event since 2007. It brings together industry leaders, leading innovators and investors to discuss the future opportunities in the medical technology sector. The MedTech Forum 2026 will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, from 11 to 13 May.