Date / Time | 2025-08-27 13:00 -- 14:30 |
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Room | SGU05 |
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Synopsis | The discovery of X-rays in the late 19th century revolutionised medicine, laying the foundation for radiation therapy as a cornerstone of cancer treatment. What began as a breakthrough in physics has since evolved into a multidisciplinary field spanning medicine, biology, engineering, and industry. This transformation underscores how fundamental scientific advancements drive medical progress and industrial innovation, shaping the future of patient care.
The rapid evolution of radiation therapy and medical imaging has been propelled by global collaboration, where expertise from diverse fields accelerates the translation of discoveries into clinical applications. Among the most significant advancements, proton and heavy ion therapy harness the Bragg peak effect to precisely target tumours whilst minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Building on these successes, FLASH radiation, a novel ultra-high dose rate therapy, has emerged as a promising approach to reducing normal tissue toxicity while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
Beyond improvements in beam technology, the role of oxygen in radiation response, first identified by L.H. Gray in 1953, has driven extensive research into the tumour microenvironment. Understanding how oxygen levels influence tumour behaviour has been crucial in unraveling the molecular mechanisms of cancer cell resistance. This research has illuminated key pathways involved in tumour progression and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, paving the way for targeted therapies that enhance treatment efficacy and improve patient outcomes. Integrating molecular biology, translational research, and clinical application is essential for developing more effective, personalized cancer treatments.
Advances in engineering and technology are also reshaping medical imaging and treatment precision. The integration of MR-linac systems, which combine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with linear accelerators, enables real-time visualisation of tumours during radiation therapy. This innovation enhances targeting accuracy, allowing for adaptive treatment strategies that improve therapeutic outcomes while minimising harm to healthy tissues.
Medical progress does not occur in isolation. These breakthroughs highlight the vital role of international collaboration in seamlessly integrating fundamental research, clinical translation, and industrial application. This session will explore ongoing efforts to bridge laboratory discoveries with bedside treatment and industry, showcasing the impact of interdisciplinary and multinational cooperation in advancing radiation medicine and imaging technologies. Strengthening global research networks will continue to push scientific boundaries, ensuring that cutting-edge discoveries reach patients ultimately to shape the future of healthcare.
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Date / Time | 2025-08-27 15:00 -- 16:30 |
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Room | SGU05 |
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DR. NOH, Ka-won
University Hospital of Cologne ![]()
DR. HELDWEIN, Matthias
University Hospital of Cologne |
Synopsis | Background: Cancer remains one of the most formidable global health challenges, with rising incidence rates and significant socioeconomic burdens. While traditional oncology treatments have improved survival, they often lack specificity, leading to variable patient outcomes and treatment resistance. The integration of translational oncology and personalized medicine is revolutionizing cancer care by bridging fundamental research with clinical applications. This paradigm shift enables the development of targeted therapies, biomarker-driven treatment strategies, and innovative diagnostics tailored to individual patients.
Purpose: This session will explore how translational oncology and personalized medicine serve as critical drivers in bridging research and industry, aligning with the EKC2025 theme: "Global Innovative Frontier: Bridging Research and Industry, Exploring Fundamentals and Driving Prosperity." By fostering collaboration between academia, biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare providers, we can accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into clinical practice. It will highlight:
• Biomarker Discovery & Targeted Therapies
• Immuno-Oncology & Next-Gen Treatments
• Industry-Academia Collaboration
Significance: The integration of translational oncology and personalized medicine is not just a scientific breakthrough—it represents a transformative economic and healthcare opportunity. By exploring fundamentals through cutting-edge research and driving prosperity via industry partnerships, we can unlock novel treatment pathways, reduce healthcare costs, and improve global patient outcomes. The session will engage experts across sectors, fostering dialogue on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities for global innovation in oncology care.
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Date / Time | 2025-08-28 09:00 -- 10:30 |
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Room | SGU05 |
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Synopsis | In recent years, robotics technology has brought significant innovation to the healthcare industry, playing a crucial role in enhancing surgical precision, advancing rehabilitation therapy, and improving the quality of assistive medical services. This session will explore the latest advancements in medical robotics, highlighting their role in improving patient outcomes, enhancing surgical accuracy, and providing innovative solutions for physical rehabilitation and assistive care. The session will cover cutting-edge robotic systems used in minimally invasive surgery, exoskeletons or end-effector-type robots for rehabilitation, and AI-powered assistive devices designed to enhance mobility and independence for individuals with disabilities or the elderly. Attendees will gain insights into the latest research trends, real-world applications, and the transformative impact of medical robotics on the future of healthcare. |
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Date / Time | 2025-08-28 11:00 -- 12:30 |
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Room | SGU05 |
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Synopsis | Background: The bioindustry is a rapidly evolving sector at the intersection of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Europe stands at the forefront of this transformation, fostering cutting-edge innovations that reshape industries and improve global well-being. As advancements in bioprocessing, synthetic biology, precision medicine, and biomanufacturing gain momentum, a critical challenge remains—how to effectively translate groundbreaking research into industrial success.
Purpose: This session aims to explore the diverse landscape of the European bioindustry and examine the mechanisms that drive collaboration between research institutions and industry leaders. By bringing together distinguished speakers from various bioindustry sectors, we will discuss current trends, key innovations, and the pathways researchers take to integrate their expertise into industrial applications.
Significance: Aligned with EKC2025’s theme, Global Innovative Frontier: Bridging Research and Industry, Exploring Fundamentals and Driving Prosperity, this session will emphasize the role of bioindustry in fostering innovation-driven economic growth. It will highlight success stories of professionals who have transitioned from academia to industry, showcasing their career trajectories and insights into overcoming challenges in commercialization, regulatory compliance, and technological scaling.
Participants will gain:
• A comprehensive understanding of the European bioindustry landscape and its latest trends.
• Practical insights into how researchers can navigate their journey from academia to industry.
• Strategies for fostering effective collaboration between research institutions, startups, and established biotech firms.
This session serves as an essential platform for knowledge exchange, fostering a dynamic dialogue between researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to drive prosperity through bioinnovation.
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Date / Time | 2025-08-28 13:30 -- 15:00 |
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Room | SGU05 |
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Synopsis | In this session, the convergence of Medicle science and engineering will lead to a paradigm shift in disease diagnosis and treatment. In medicine, the development of cutting-edge medical devices and medicines is essential to providing breakthrough therapies to patients. Advanced technologies in medical devices and pharmaceuticals are among the most important core technologies in human life sciences and health in the 21st century.
This will increasingly play a decisive role in international competition and enable sustainable growth across various industries. It invites the introduction of cutting-edge technology that uses artificial intelligence in this field to diagnose and treat diseases, as well as to present international R&D trends. In particular, we aim to introduce technologies and treatment methods for early diagnosis of cancer and incurable diseases. The researchers presenting in this session are well-positioned to lead innovation and will propose new paths in medicine and engineering.
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Date / Time | 2025-08-28 16:30 -- 18:00 |
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Room | SGU05 |
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Synopsis | Wearable technologies are revolutionizing the fields of neurology and psychiatry by providing innovative solutions for monitoring and treating neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. This session covers the latest advancements in wearable sensing and stimulation technologies, focusing on their ability to enable real-time, personalized, and precision-driven care. These devices not only enhance the detection and management of neurological and psychiatric disorders but also offer novel therapeutic avenues, integrating seamlessly into daily life.
Neurological and psychiatric disorders are a growing global health concern, imposing significant social and economic burdens. Traditional approaches to diagnosis and treatment often lack the ability to deliver continuous, patient-centric solutions. Wearable technologies address this gap by combining advanced sensors and neuromodulation capabilities to monitor brain and nervous system activity while providing targeted stimulation therapies.
This session aligns closely with the EKC2025 theme, “Global Innovative Frontier: Bridging Research and Industry, Exploring Fundamentals and Driving Prosperity”, by showcasing the convergence of multidisciplinary research and industrial innovation. It highlights how breakthroughs in neuroscience, engineering, and artificial intelligence are being translated into commercialized wearable devices that improve patient outcomes and address critical healthcare challenges.
The session will cover:
1. Cutting-Edge Bio-Sensing Technologies:
• Wearable sensors for bioelectrical monitoring.
• Multimodal approaches to enhance diagnostic precision.
• Brain or neural chips and microdevices for clinical applications.
2. Advanced Neuromodulation Techniques & Methods:
• Wearable stimulation technologies for therapeutic intervention.
• Personalized stimulation strategies for targeted treatment.
• Neuroengineering research for translational medicine.
3. Research-Industry & Korea-Europe Collaborations in Digital Health:
• Case studies on successful transitions from lab to market.
• Overcoming regulatory and commercialization challenges.
• Consortium building for Horizon Europe or other EU funding programs.
This session aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and industry leaders, encouraging knowledge exchange and partnerships. By addressing both technological innovations and societal implications, the session underscores the transformative potential of wearable sensing and stimulation technologies in bridging research and industry to drive global health advancements.
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