A Glimpse into the Future of Healthcare Innovation

This month in the bustling heart of Barcelona, Tech Spirit Barcelona held its health edition event at the historic Casa Llotja de Mar. The event showcased some of the latest and most exciting tech in the scene, covering topics such as AI applications in health, digital strategy in pharma, innovation at hospitals as well as presentations from 2 tech giants and more. 

Tech Barcelona’s continued success is testament to Barcelona’s increasing reputation as a creative tech and innovation hub. We were thrilled to attend this Tech Barcelona event and even more so as it was the health edition. As we continue to work developing DIAITA, our latest health tech project it was  great to spend the day with peers and learn about AI developments and other tech  solutions emerging in the healthy industry. 

AI in Healthcare: From Theory to Practice

After a morning brew we sat down to listen to the panel discussion on AI applications in health, chaired by Alfons Nonell of DevsHealth and featuring industry leaders Robert Martí, Laura Furlong, and Esteban Félez. The panel explored the cutting-edge model evaluations and applications of AI in diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases more efficiently and effectively than ever before.

Startup Pitches: The Vanguard of Innovation

After listening to AI applications and model evaluations in health, we were then treated to 3 company pitches. We started off by exploring AI-driven solutions addressing critical healthcare challenges. The spotlight was on innovative technologies aimed at revolutionising stroke treatment. Through the use of AI-powered imaging, these solutions are poised to greatly enhance the detection of large vessel occlusion and haemorrhages, promising to transform patient care by equipping medical teams with advanced diagnostic tools.

After which we had the opportunity to listen to some new tech innovation ideas being pitched around the areas of accessibility and predictive healthcare, to help with early detection and treatment planning. One pioneering approach involved the use of speech analysis to detect health issues. By analysing both voice and language, this technology boasts impressive detection rates of more than 90%, illustrating the potential of AI in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.

Another groundbreaking contribution highlighted was in the field of biomedical simulations. Through predictive modelling, it's possible to visualise the state of cardiovascular systems and foresee the effectiveness of treatments in restoring vital functions. This segment underscored the critical importance of visual communication of technological findings to medical teams. For us it emphasised the necessity for interfaces to be not only informative but also user-friendly, ensuring that medical professionals can efficiently utilise these advancements in patient care

Tech Giants Weigh In: Shaping the Future of Healthcare

The event included keynotes from Carlos Jouve Alonso (Head of Healthcare Spain – AWS)  who offered insights into healthcare, emphasising the notion that "the future of healthcare is now" in that cloud technology and AI modelling are set to rapidly transform the healthcare landscape in promoting collaboration and information sharing for better treatment and outcomes. Luiner Ávila (Digital Natives Iberia – Google) explored “the art of the possible” and how Google is in a particularly unique position to ‘help billions of individuals across the globe be healthier’ due to its large user base and that millions of people research health information and google their symptoms. 

Afternoon Deep Dives: Strategy, Innovation, and Investment

The afternoon sessions were rich with discussions on digital strategies in the pharma industry, innovation in hospitals, and investment trends in health. Notable speakers from Ferrer, Angelini Pharma, and leading hospitals shared their perspectives on integrating digital technologies into traditional healthcare settings. Sharing with us what the future may hold and how there is an ever increasing space for innovation in systems for patient care.

The investment panel, featuring voices from Asabys Partners, Montana Impact Fund, and AdBio, delved into the nuances of funding innovation in health tech, highlighting how the investment landscape is an ever changing space and how critical the role of investment is in bringing groundbreaking ideas to fruition. 

Closing Thoughts: Innovation Adoption in Public Healthcare

The event wrapped up with a discussion on innovation adoption in the public healthcare system, led by Ramon Maspons (Innovation Director at AQuAS) and Robert Fabregat (CEO at Biocat), with Carmen Rios (Doctomatic) as chair. This session underscored the challenges and opportunities in integrating innovative solutions within public health systems, highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to advance healthcare accessibility and efficacy.

Drawing to a close, this episode of Tech Spirit Barcelona it was clear that the event had not only provided a platform for showcasing the latest in health tech but had also fostered meaningful dialogues, partnerships, and visions for the future. Barcelona once more demonstrated that it is a hub of innovation, where in this case technology and the passion for healthcare converged to pave the way for a healthier tomorrow. For the Bestiario team it was wonderful to see what innovative healthcare technologies are being developed and the massive room for innovation and growth