The European Innovation Council (EIC) convened a kick-off meeting for the Precision Nutrition Portfolio on February 18–19, 2025. The event, held in Brussels, brought together project coordinators and researchers from the eight projects funded by the EIC Pathfinder Challenge “Precision Nutrition” call. GLUCOTYPES was represented by Prof. Simon Rasmussen and project coordinator Dr. Jordi Merino from University of Copenhagen.
The Portfolio aims to forge synergies, maximizing the collective impact of its funded projects. The Portfolio strategically balances food science innovation with healthcare advancements, including four projects focused on novel food processes and ingredients (NutriEV, FIBRE-MATCH, InteractHoMiG, and NUTRIMMUNE), and four dedicated to advanced patient stratification in healthcare (Bugs4Urate, DiBaN, GLUCOTYPES, and MENTORING).
Anne-Marie Sassen, Head of Unit for EIC Program Managers, opened the meeting by emphasizing the EIC’s mission to drive transformative innovation within the European Union. She outlined the strategic priorities of EIC programs, underscoring the critical role of collaborative research in addressing pressing societal challenges, such as the one posed by suboptimal diets.
Portfolio Project Manager, Ivan Stefanic further highlighted the urgent need for a paradigm shift in the food system with a focus on individuals and populations nutritional requirements. He emphasized that the EIC portfolio’s collective value transcends the sum of its individual projects, urging participants to identify and capitalize on collaborative opportunities. “Our combined efforts will pave the way for accelerated exploitation and commercialization of these vital innovations,” Stefanic stated.
The meeting delved into proactive management strategies, focusing on fostering technological, regulatory, exploitation, communication, and dissemination synergies. Project presentations on key elements and breakroom meetings provided a platform for initial brainstorming, sparking discussions on potential collaborations.
Looking ahead, the portfolio’s governance structure and strategic approach, which has now been defined, will ensure a cohesive and impactful approach to achieving the program’s ambitious objectives, positioning the initiative as a catalyst for advancing precision nutrition.
