An agreement signed between the Children's Clinical University Hospital and the Princess Máxima Center in the Netherlands outlines the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Precision Medicine for Pediatrics in Latvia. This collaboration will open new avenues for pediatric healthcare and scientific research.
Precision medicine focuses on an individualized approach to disease study and treatment, taking into account each patient's genetic characteristics, lifestyle, and other factors. The establishment of the Center of Excellence at the Children's Hospital will create a unique opportunity to develop a modern scientific base and suitable infrastructure for research, allowing for more precise disease studies and improving understanding of rare and complex childhood diseases, such as oncological and genetic disorders.
The Center of Excellence will feature a pediatric biobank, genomics and data analysis units, as well as a clinical research center. This will provide a better understanding of the genetic foundations of childhood diseases and foster the development of new therapies that could significantly improve treatment methods in the future. The research produced by this center will be significant not only for the development of healthcare in Latvia but also for the broader international scientific community.
Largest Horizon Europe Funding for Research in Latvia
The establishment of the Center of Excellence has secured €34 million in funding, of which €14.4 million is provided by the European Commission's Horizon Europe program, strengthening the potential for scientific excellence and promoting research development in healthcare in Latvia. This is the largest Horizon Europe funding for research ever received by a single organization in Latvia.
An additional €19.6 million is being invested by private partner John Martin Talley to construct the new Healthcare Development Center on the premises of the Children's Hospital, where the Center of Excellence in Precision Medicine will be located. This private sector investment is a significant testament to the importance of private sector involvement in the development of science and innovation.
“We are very grateful to the European Commission and our partners for this significant support, which will allow us to start a new era in children's healthcare in Latvia. The Center of Excellence in Precision Medicine will provide the opportunity to improve treatment for children with the most complex diseases by utilizing the latest technologies and scientific methods,” states Valts Ābols, Chairman of the Board of the Children's Hospital.
He expresses special gratitude to the project's private partner, John Martin Talley, whose substantial funding makes the construction and future development of the Healthcare Development Center possible.
Photo: Publicity photo of Children's Clinical University Hospital from the moment of signing the agreement
Improving Cancer Treatment for Children
To achieve its mission of curing every child with cancer while ensuring optimal quality of life, the Princess Máxima Center is building collaborations worldwide, sharing knowledge and experience, and promoting intensive cooperation in research, diagnostics, and treatment.
“This collaboration is based on high-quality research projects with leading centers around the world, including the Children's Hospital in Latvia. We eagerly await what this collaboration, as part of the establishment of the Precision Medicine Center, can provide in the future to improve cancer treatment for children,” says Professor Rob Peters, Board Member and Medical Director of the Princess Máxima Center.
This project is significant not only for the development of healthcare in Latvia but also for expanding international collaboration and raising scientific excellence in Latvia.
The project is planned for implementation from 2025 to 2030. The new Healthcare Development Center, which will house the Center of Excellence in Precision Medicine for Pediatrics, is expected to be commissioned in 2027. Until then, the center's activities will be conducted in the existing premises of the Children's Hospital.
Photo: Children's Clinical University Hospital