Annual "Horizon Scanning in Healthcare" Conference
On 3 December 2025, the Horizon Scanning in Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities conference took place at the Congress Centre of Sechenov University. The event is the flagship conference of the Healthcare Horizon Scanning Centre and brought together experts from academia and education, the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries, digital health companies, financial institutions, relevant public authorities and patient organisations.
The discussion focused not on the past, but on the future: what the Russian healthcare system should look like in the next 5−10 years, and which decisions need to be taken today to make that future possible.
The discussion centred not on individual technologies, but on new therapeutic modalities, first and foremost gene and cell therapies, as well as other high-technology approaches capable of fundamentally changing disease outcomes. Experts emphasised that truly therapeutically valuable innovation requires more than laboratory breakthroughs. It depends on an integrated continuum — from fundamental science and applied research to clinical validation and patient access.
Participants discussed how horizon scanning can be embedded into this continuum: as a tool for early identification of promising directions, formulation of the right scientific questions, assessment of potential therapeutic value, and timely preparation of regulatory and infrastructural frameworks.
The discussion focused not on the past, but on the future: what the Russian healthcare system should look like in the next 5−10 years, and which decisions need to be taken today to make that future possible.
The discussion centred not on individual technologies, but on new therapeutic modalities, first and foremost gene and cell therapies, as well as other high-technology approaches capable of fundamentally changing disease outcomes. Experts emphasised that truly therapeutically valuable innovation requires more than laboratory breakthroughs. It depends on an integrated continuum — from fundamental science and applied research to clinical validation and patient access.
Participants discussed how horizon scanning can be embedded into this continuum: as a tool for early identification of promising directions, formulation of the right scientific questions, assessment of potential therapeutic value, and timely preparation of regulatory and infrastructural frameworks.
A dedicated block of discussions focused on how to attract strong R&D teams and private capital into the life sciences. Participants highlighted the importance of competitive research career pathways, the development of universities as full-cycle innovation hubs (from idea to market), and the establishment of clear, investor-friendly rules — from intellectual property protection to risk-sharing mechanisms between the public sector and industry. It was emphasised that a predictable regulatory environment, access to clinical and registry data, and the ability to scale solutions at national and international levels are key prerequisites for attracting long-term investment into biomedical innovation.
A significant part of the discussion addressed the role of the healthcare system as the primary allocator of rewards for successful innovation. Experts examined the tools required to fulfil this role, including therapeutic value assessment, outcomes-based payment models, flexible reimbursement mechanisms for high-cost and advanced therapies, and the use of real-world evidence to inform and revise funding and regulatory decisions.
The idea of moving away from undifferentiated innovation funding toward a value-based policy framework featured prominently in the discussion. Under such an approach, truly breakthrough solutions receive priority access and sustainable support, while technologies with low or unproven benefit are subject to more rigorous selection and scrutiny.
Based on the presentations and discussions, a conference resolution is being prepared. The resolution will be endorsed by participants and submitted to relevant federal authorities, universities, research organisations, industry stakeholders and professional communities.
For the Healthcare Horizon Scanning Centre at Sechenov University, the resolution will serve as a practical roadmap. It will guide future analytical research, expert sessions and applied projects aimed at ensuring that technological leadership in healthcare is built not on isolated initiatives, but on a systematic, forward-looking approach that anticipates future challenges.
A significant part of the discussion addressed the role of the healthcare system as the primary allocator of rewards for successful innovation. Experts examined the tools required to fulfil this role, including therapeutic value assessment, outcomes-based payment models, flexible reimbursement mechanisms for high-cost and advanced therapies, and the use of real-world evidence to inform and revise funding and regulatory decisions.
The idea of moving away from undifferentiated innovation funding toward a value-based policy framework featured prominently in the discussion. Under such an approach, truly breakthrough solutions receive priority access and sustainable support, while technologies with low or unproven benefit are subject to more rigorous selection and scrutiny.
Based on the presentations and discussions, a conference resolution is being prepared. The resolution will be endorsed by participants and submitted to relevant federal authorities, universities, research organisations, industry stakeholders and professional communities.
For the Healthcare Horizon Scanning Centre at Sechenov University, the resolution will serve as a practical roadmap. It will guide future analytical research, expert sessions and applied projects aimed at ensuring that technological leadership in healthcare is built not on isolated initiatives, but on a systematic, forward-looking approach that anticipates future challenges.
