The Cardio Innovation Forum “Integration of Innovation and Prevention in the Fight against Cardiovascular Diseases – Towards a More Efficient Health System”, organized by the pharmaceutical company Novartis with the support of leading healthcare and technological facilities, was held on May 12, 2025 at the Residence of the Embassy of Switzerland in Serbia.
The Forum brought together leading experts in the field of cardiology, molecular genetics, information technology and health policy. The aim of the event was to highlight the importance of connecting innovation and prevention in the fight against one of the biggest public health challenges of today – cardiovascular diseases.
The speakers included:
- Prof. Dr. Nebojša Tasić, Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases Dedinje and Assistant Minister of Health,
- Prof. Katarina Lalić, PhD, UCCS,
- Prof. Sonja Pavlović, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade,
- Prof. Dr. Arsen Ristić, UCCS,
- Filip Maljković, Heliant.
The discussion was moderated by Ana Stamenković, a journalist from RTS.
During the panel, participants spoke about the specific challenges that cardiovascular diseases pose to the healthcare system of Serbia, with a special emphasis on the importance of early diagnosis, genetic screening, digitalization and personalized therapies. The role of LDL cholesterol and familial hypercholesterolemia in the development of the disease was emphasized, as well as the importance of innovative solutions for timely detection and more effective treatment.
In his presentation, Filip Maljković from Heliant spoke about practical examples of digitalization that can significantly contribute to the improvement of health outcomes, especially in the field of cardiovascular health. Special attention was paid to the role of technology in healthcare, and an advanced digital system was introduced that enables cardiovascular risk calculation, lipid profile monitoring and personalized treatment recommendations. E-consultations, which are part of the system, facilitate communication between health professionals at different levels of healthcare, thus improving the coordination and quality of the service provided.
“Digital solutions, such as the system we are developing, are not only a technological innovation, but also a concrete tool that can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, treatment efficiency and patient safety,” Maljkovic pointed out.
The joint conclusion of the panel was that innovation, digitalization and personalized medicine were the key pillars of the future transformation of the healthcare system in Serbia, which required close cooperation between different sectors – health professionals, scientific institutions, IT sector and decision-makers.
After the discussion, the participants continued their conversation in an informal atmosphere, over a cocktail in the courtyard of the residence.