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IDERHA highlights the future of Real-World Evidence at MedTech Forum 2026
IDERHA was proud to contribute to the discussion on real-world data (RWD) and regulatory innovation at MedTech Forum 2026 in Stockholm, where stakeholders from across the healthcare ecosystem came together to explore how health data can support better decision-making and patient outcomes.
The session, moderated by Philip Gribbon (Fraunhofer ITMP), featured contributions from representatives of the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), Roche Diagnostics, the European Patients' Forum, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, and DG SANTE, European Commission. Discussions highlighted the growing importance of collaboration, trust, and common standards for the use of real-world evidence (RWE) in healthcare.
A key theme throughout the session was the need for a shared vision of high-quality RWE research practices, similar to the frameworks that have guided clinical trials and laboratory research for decades.
From the IDERHA perspective, several encouraging messages emerged. Speakers emphasised the importance of a pan-European federated health data approach that combines technical infrastructure with regulatory science and policy development to make heterogeneous health data usable for regulatory and health technology assessment (HTA) purposes. There was also broad agreement that while real-world data is already influencing healthcare decisions, further work is needed to establish trusted frameworks and standards for regulatory-grade evidence.
The discussion also highlighted the crucial role of patients in the future health data landscape. Transparent communication about data use and meaningful involvement in study design were identified as essential factors for building trust and encouraging participation.
Another positive takeaway was the strong momentum for collaboration across European initiatives. Participants underscored the importance of reducing duplication of effort and advancing policy development together to move from pilot projects towards sustainable and scalable solutions.
The conference's opening plenary reinforced many of these themes. Sweden’s Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, Jakob Forssmed, highlighted the value of making better use of health data across Sweden and Europe, with collaboration, interoperability, and trust identified as key enablers. These priorities closely align with IDERHA’s mission to create a secure and effective pathway for health data use in Europe.
IDERHA thanks all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions and looks forward to continuing the conversation on how real-world data can support innovation, evidence generation, and better healthcare outcomes across Europe.