Innovations in the Fight Against Cancer
Cancer remains one of the greatest health challenges, both globally and in Slovenia.
Cancer as a Priority Area
Slovenia records higher cancer incidence and mortality rates than the EU average. In 2021, the age-standardised mortality rate was approximately 277 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to the EU average of 235 per 100,000, placing Slovenia among the highest in Europe.
Over the past two decades, cancer incidence has nearly doubled, although significant progress has been achieved through national screening programmes such as ZORA, DORA, and SVIT, with participation rates of at least 70%. These initiatives have greatly improved early detection and treatment outcomes.
Nevertheless, the data highlight an urgent need for innovations that optimise diagnostics, therapies, and patient monitoring, while also helping to reduce the societal burden of the disease.
Key Areas of Innovation in Oncology
Early detection
Advanced screening methods—from liquid biopsies to high-sensitivity imaging technologies—allow cancers to be detected before symptoms appear, increasing treatment success rates and reducing therapy costs.
Personalised medicine
The analysis of genetic and biological tumour characteristics enables therapies tailored to each patient. Slovenia’s SmartGene.si project demonstrated this progress by conducting the first clinical gene therapy trial for head and neck cancer.
Advanced therapies and surgical technologies
Minimally invasive procedures, robotic surgery, and precision radiotherapy are improving treatment outcomes. The Slovenian company Cosylab develops control systems for proton therapy and digital platforms for oncology process management, accelerating the adoption of state-of-the-art treatment methods.
Digital tools, artificial intelligence, and next-generation therapies
Remote patient monitoring and AI-driven analytics enable real-time treatment adjustments and uncover hidden data patterns. In the future, gene and cell therapies will further expand opportunities for precise and targeted cancer treatment.
Technological trends in Slovenia and the EU
The EU mission on Cancer initiative has set an ambitious goal: by 2030, to improve the lives of more than three million people through new approaches to prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and cancer care. Slovenia’s participation in projects such as ECHoS and CANDLE strengthens the national research infrastructure and enables integration into european data networks, which will form the foundation for artificial intelligence and personalised medicine.
From an investment perspective, the EU is seeing a strong increase in funding for immunotherapy (+37.8%), gene therapy (+31%), image analysis (+19.6%), liquid biopsies (+17.2%), and health informatics (+14.7%), reflecting a global shift towards therapies that are more precise, less invasive, and more tailored to individual patients.
In Slovenia, we are also witnessing the rise of companies developing solutions at the intersection of science and technology – from advanced radiotherapy platforms to digital patient-support tools. Connecting with the broader European innovation ecosystem enables a faster transfer of these solutions from laboratories and development offices into hospitals and clinical practice.
The crucial role of patient involvement
In developing oncology innovations, active involvement of patients and advocacy groups is essential, as they bring first-hand experience and help steer solutions toward real needs. organisations such as Europa Donna, Europacolon, Onkoman, and the L&L Association contribute through counselling, rehabilitation, and psychological support, improving patients’ quality of life and accelerating the adoption of user-friendly technologies.
Connecting innovation and clinical practice
Progress in oncology depends on collaboration among research institutions, healthcare organisations, companies, and international partners. Such cooperation accelerates the transfer of innovations from laboratory to clinical practice, ensuring that new solutions reach patients faster and more efficiently.
Joint research projects and funding opportunities
Progress in oncology is fastest where researchers, clinicians, and companies join forces – not only in developing innovations but also in jointly accessing funding opportunities. European programmes such as Horizon Europe, EU Mission Cancer, and EIT Health offer grants, technical support, and access to international networks, significantly increasing the chances of successful commercialisation.
Slovenian partners are already involved in numerous European cancer-related projects, providing access to cutting-edge infrastructure, clinical environments, and global partnerships. an overview of these projects can be found in the filtered EU Mission Cancer project list, which highlights Slovenian participating organisations – see the projects here.
Do you have an innovative solution or research idea in the field of cancer?
Let us know or click on our partner catalogue to find opportunities for collaboration and funding!
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