Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou Minister of Digital Governance visited the Institute of Applied Biosciences (ΙΝAΒ) of the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH). The Minister was welcomed by the Director of the Institute, Dr. Anastasia Chatzidimitriou, who briefed him on INAB’s progress, achievements, and strategic priorities, with particular emphasis on its ongoing initiatives.
Special emphasis was placed on the Institute’s research activities in the fields of health data production, management, and analysis, as well as its participation in leading European initiatives. INAB is the only Institute of Applied Biosciences in Greece and represents the country in the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN-ERIC). Mr. Papastergiou was informed that multicenter clinical studies are being conducted at the Institute in collaboration with pharmaceutical industry partners, while INAB also manages large European databases of patients with hematological diseases, which are utilized for both research and clinical purposes.
Particular reference was made to the Institute’s participation in the European bioinformatics infrastructure ELIXIR, where it coordinates the Artificial Intelligence Working Group. In this context, INAB is leading the development of international standards, such as the DOME recommendations, as well as the recent framework for Open and FAIR Artificial Intelligence.
The Minister was also informed on the Institute’s participation in the European initiative EHDEN, which focuses on the standardization of health data from routine clinical practice through the OMOP Common Data Model (OMOP-CDM) which has already been adopted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for non-interventional studies. The National Node of the EHDEN initiative in Greece is hosted at INAB with the “Papageorgiou” General Hospital of Thessaloniki already participating, as announced at a recent event held at the Institute’s premises. Furthermore, to ensure security, reliability, and operational continuity in data management, INAB has been certified under ISO 27001 (Information Security Management) and ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management).
Mr. Papastergiou also had the opportunity to meet the Institute’s researchers, Dr. Pantelis Natsiavas and Dr. Fotis Psomopoulos. During the discussion, potential synergies between the Ministry of Digital Governance and INAB were explored, aiming to strengthen innovation and leverage digital technology in the field of health data.
For additional information, please contact Ms. Fotini Kopani, INAB/CERTH Administration, +30 2310 498272, kopani@certh.gr
