About the project
The Problem
A Healthcare System in Crisis: Reactive vs. Preventive
Current healthcare systems are built on a reactive “sick-care” model, treating individuals only after they become ill. This reliance on late-stage interventions is financially unsustainable and puts an immense strain on global resources. By waiting until health problems hinder normal functioning rather than prioritising preventive healthcare tailored to individual needs, we face a continuous global funding crisis and declining patient outcomes.
The Solution
Personalised Prevention through Glycan Biomarkers
The key to transforming healthcare lies in advanced preventive biomarkers. Glycans (complex oligosaccharides) serve as a “biological mirror,” reflecting the combined impact of a person’s genetics, environment and lifestyle. By capturing early signals of chronic inflammation, these molecules provide a measurable window to intercept disease years before symptoms appear and optimise wellness early.
A Proven Success: GlycanAge
Our partner GlycanAge has successfully commercialised the first glycan biomarker via a biological age test for chronic inflammation measurement and timely disease prevention.
A Healthcare System Shift
towards Prevention
The EU-funded SynHealth project aims to valorise the potential of glycan biomarkers and prepare them for ERDF funding and subsequent exploitation in Croatian and Slovenian regions, strengthening the innovation capacities and competitiveness of these less R&I performing regions.
This mission is led by project coordinator Genos, the pioneer of high-throughput glycomics. Through active participation in previous Horizon projects like 3TR and SYSCID, Genos researchers analysed over 200,000 individual glycomes to identify the potential biomarkers that SynHealth is now moving toward real-world application.
Supported by a consortium including GlycanAge, the University of Maribor, Karolinska Institute, University of Liege, and F6S, the project facilitates technology transfer and innovation in target regions. By integrating these discoveries into preventive healthcare, SynHealth transforms laboratory breakthroughs into market-ready diagnostic solutions, heralding a transformative era of personalised medicine.
PROJECT
Specific Objectives
01
Develop person-centred AI based support tool to enable scalability of GlycanAge personalised counselling.
02
Prepare clinical study for glycan biomarkers for personalised preventive medicine.
03
Demonstrate adoption of glycan biomarkers for personalised preventive healthcare in real world setting and create a network of partners in the region.
04
Improve capacity for innovation, IP management and knowledge transfer.
05
To maximise the impact of the project through a dedicated communication, dissemination and exploitation strategy.
In its pursuit, SYNHEALTH will focus on the following methodology:
AI robustness and challenges
Gender dimension
Open science practices
Research data management and management of other research outputs
PROJECT
Objectives
Researchers in Genos pioneered high-throughput glycomics 15 years ago, which enabled glycomics to become integrated in multiple large epidemiological and clinical studies.
Through active participation in multiple EU-funded projects, including 3TR and SYSCID that are formal requirements for this application, researchers in Genos analysed over 200,000 individual glycomes and identified several potential glycan biomarkers.
General objective of the SynHealth project is to valorise the potential of these research discoveries (glycan biomarkers) and prepare them for ERDF funding and subsequent exploitation in two Croatian and one Slovenian regions together with the University of Maribor. This will be achieved with the support of past Horizon partners Karolinska Institute and University of Liege.
Innovation capacity and technology uptake will be further supported by the dedicated innovation management and technology transfer partner F6S, and GlycanAge SME partner that actively commercialises glycan biomarkers in the general health and wellness sector.
Adoption of glycan biomarkers for personalised preventive healthcare will be demonstrated in real world settings and supported through a network of partners in the region.
This will all prepare discoveries from past Horizon projects (glycan biomarkers) for future translation into clinical diagnostic biomarkers through support of ERDF funding.
PROJECT
Impact
One of the weaknesses of European science compared to the US is the lower rate of translating research discoveries into new business opportunities. This is particularly the case in the widening countries where innovations are lagging significantly behind even the EU average. Through SynHealth we will forge synergy between Horizon funded research and commercialisation activities in widening countries funded by ERDF.
PROJECT
Expected Outcomes (EO)
E01
Improved and more systematic synergies between Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020, and ERDF, (…) or similar funding instruments through internationalisation, valorisation and technology uptake
E02
Strengthened competitiveness of R&I actors in Widening countries
E03
Accelerated knowledge transfer and innovation cycle for beneficiaries from ERDF and Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe
E04
Strengthened innovation capacity and competitiveness of less R&I performing regions.
E05
Valorisation of results generated in Horizon Europe or Horizon 2020 projects in a regional context
E06
Improved knowledge transfer and technology uptake in less R&I performing regions
E07
Exploitation and diffusion of R&I results into the market in line with national/regional smart specialisation priorities
E08
Preparation of pilots and demonstrators in the chosen R&I domain for funding under ERDF
E09
Improved intellectual asset management and technology uptake
PROJECT
Expected Impact (EI)
1.
Increased science and innovation capacity for all actors in the R&I system in widening countries
2.
Structural changes leading to modernised and more competitive R&I systems in eligible countries
3.
Reformed R&I systems and institutions leading to increased attractiveness and retention of research talents
4.
Mobilisation of national and EU resources for strategic investments
5.
Higher participation success in Horizon Europe and more consortium leadership roles
6.
Stronger links between academia and business and improved career permeability
7.
Strengthened role of the Higher Education sector in research and innovation
8.
Greater involvement of regional actors in the R&I process
9.
Improved outreach to international level for all actors
Scientific impacts
- Impact on research and innovation capacity
- Impact on understanding of the health-to-disease transition
- Impact on disease prevention programmes
Economic and Societal impacts
- Data analysis and normalization of Gycan Biomarkers in the public sphere for market growth and scale
- Cost reductions through prevention
- Reduced trial-and-error treatment
- Improved Patient Outcomes and Quality of Life
- Enhanced Diagnostic and Prognostic Accuracy
- Personalized Wellness and Prevention
PROJECT
Workplan
The SYNHEALTH project implementation comprises 7 Work Packages (WP).
WP1
Demonstration of person-centred AI model for personalised interpretation of glycan biomarker data.
Valorisation studies of Horizon results (glycan biomarkers)
WP2
Demonstration of the adoption of glycan biomarkers for personalised preventive healthcare in real world setting
WP3
Preparation of proposals for ERDF funding
WP4
Building capacity for innovation, innovation management and knowledge transfer
WP5
Communication and dissemination
WP6
Project management
WP7
PROJECT
Partners
SYNHEALTH brings together a comprehensive consortium of 7 partners from 5 different countries. It is composed of 3 Research centres, 2 Universities and 1 SME.
SynHealth coordinator Genos is an SME that is at the same time the leading research institution in Croatia. In 2007, it received official recognition as a research institution from the Croatian Ministry of Science, which subsequently led to its inclusion in the national Registry of research organisations. The Croatian Agency for Science and Higher Education, the national accreditation agency, initiated mandatory reaccreditation of Genos as a research organisation in 2017. The evaluation confirmed that Genos fulfils all legal prerequisites to be classified as a research organisation within the domains of “Natural Sciences” and “Biomedicine and Health”. Subsequently, the Ministry of Science issued the official document that reaccredited Genos as a research organisation on May 28, 2020. Genos has participated in a number of European Union research initiatives. Its researchers publish over 30 research papers per year, and currently, Genos employs 50 researchers. Genos’ research is focused on the application of high-throughput glycomics in personalised medicine.
Role
In SYNHEALTH, GENOS will lead the project coordination (Work Package 1) and the physio-chemical and electrochemical testing of the electroactive materials, including aqueous slurry development for electrode upscaling (Work Package 6).
GlycanAge is an SME focused on the translation of glycomics research results into healthcare products.
Emerging as a spinout from Genos, GlycanAge was established to commercialise advancements within the realm of general health and wellness. Presently, it offers the GlycanAge test of biological age test directly to consumers and via a network of over 700 partners in the health and wellness sector. A noteworthy challenge in the development of glycan biomarkers is the lack of awareness concerning the significance of glycosylation in both general population and healthcare professionals. To bridge this gap, GlycanAge dedicates considerable efforts to educating both the general populace and professionals alike.
Role
GlycanAge will lead Work Package 2
University of Maribor (UM) functions as an extensive educational and research institution with a commitment to achieving exceptional academic standards and advancing knowledge through both fundamental and applied research endeavours. With a team comprising over 1200 educators and researchers, UM collaborates closely with business affiliates, civil society, public administration, fostering research and artistic pursuits that centre on the well-being and progress of society. UM maintains an active presence in the international educational and research arena, taking part in numerous European projects either as a lead coordinator or collaborative partner.
Role
UM will (Work Package 2 and 5).
The Karolinska Instituet, KI, located in Stockholm, Sweden, is one of the world’s most prestigious medical universities and research institutions. Founded in 1810, it has a rich history of excellence in medical education, healthcare innovation, and cutting-edge biomedical research. The institute is renowned for awarding the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine annually and is at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries in fields such as immunology, genetics, neuroscience, and epidemiology. Its commitment to advancing healthcare and improving global health makes it a globally recognized hub for medical and scientific excellence. KI was (and still is) partner in H2020 IMI2 3TR project in which Genos is responsible for glycan analysis.
Role
KI (Work Package2).
The University of Liège or ULiège, founded in 1817, is a major public university of the French
Community of Belgium based in Liège, Wallonia region. ULiège counts around 25,000 students of which 20% are foreigners. Almost 3,000 faculty members at 11 faculties contribute to education and research. ULiège provides training in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycles in all knowledge areas. Citizen-focused, ULiège strives to promote a diverse society respecting difference in culture, gender and opinions. ULiège formally complied with the principles of the “European Charter and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of the Researchers” and developed an HR strategy strongly embedded in the institutional strategic plan for providing and supporting a stimulating and favourable working environment for researchers. In 2011, ULiège received the award “HR excellence in research” from the EU Commission.
Role
UL (Work Package 3) of and 4.1 (Work Package 4)
F6S is the leading platform for application management and the largest startup community globally with +1.5mio Tech-Startups and +2.7mio entrepreneurs. F6S delivers +€2 billion every year to startups with leading CRM for deal flow, corporate challenges, structured programs, startup services, corporate partnering, recruiting, government grants and free startup resources. F6S is the leading platform for application management for commercial, corporate, government, university and other accelerator programs, helping more than 17,000 such initiatives worldwide. Every year F6S processes more than 700,000 applications and delivers about €2 billion to startups/SMEs per year. F6S is highly experienced in creating an effective recruitment campaign, targeting the right SMEs/startups, broadly disseminating open calls, and managing the selection process of the applicants. F6S tracks emerging trends across 300+ industries and has insights that reach beyond any database, from its strong network of project partners, corporates, universities, and startups. The F6S innovative communication team leverages this information and a strong experience in community building to deliver a high-impact strategy to promote, communicate, and disseminate research activities and achievements, maximising sustainability of projects’ results.
Role
F6S will lead Work Package 8 on Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation with the main objective of creating the right buzz around the project activities and maximise its impacts.
is the main Croatian institution for the support of SMEs and innovation. Since Genos is one of the best research institutions in Croatia, we are in regular contacts with colleagues from HAMAG-BICRO to help them plan future support actions and improve procedures. In SynHealth HAMAB-BICRO will join as an associated party to help us identify most appropriate upcoming calls for the ERDF project applications that will be prepared through WP4.