Medical Innovation Centre

The Medical Innovation Centre (MedIC) is a cornerstone of European University Cyprus and its School of Medicine. At MedIC, we focus on advancing the three pillars of medical sciences: Research, Education, and Clinical Practice.

History of MedIC

In 2014 the School of Medicine Research Center (MRC) was established to support faculty and students on the road to advance medical research. In September of 2019, MRC was incorporated into the Medical Innovation Center (MedIC) with the aim of setting out on a new course to shape a robust network with collaborations on a national and international scale that will engage medical and research professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and hospital board of trustees to enhance medical interventions. MedIC, as a multidisciplinary research center that strives for excellence, developed a mission and strategic plan fully aligned with the Mission and Vision of the School of Medicine.

Vision

The aim of MedIC is to achieve a broad scope to serve as a regional research platform in biomedicine, targeting not only the region of Cyprus, but also internationally as well as to promote social healthcare welfare and to engage in community service.

The vision is for MedIC to serve as a hub in the primary pillars of academic medicine:

1. foster interdisciplinary research
2. enhance safety & quality in clinical care
3. advance medical education
4. embrace community service
5. promote innovation
6. promote collaboration and synergies in all actions

Core to the vision of MedIC is to serve as the first specialized innovative and adaptive biomedical research unit that can effectively design, centrally coordinate, and implement state-of-the-art medical research, with particular focus on high quality, multi-center clinical trials, as well as the translation of basic research to regional biomedical entrepreneurship with research programs addressing the gap between basic science and clinical trials/commercialization.

MedIC also actively engages with the community. The MedIC team has been actively involved in Public health interventions and policy solutions addressing health disparities and improving population health as needed, given recent events. During the COVID-19 lockdown, MedIC and the EUC Medical School served to facilitate overcoming the shortage of healthcare workforce, with EUC Medical Students assisting hospitals, such as the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center and long-term care facilities. MedIC also strived to improve healthcare literacy and interventions knowledge within the healthcare and general community, with targeted efforts. This is underscored through MedIC’s participation in both the EXITCAN, VACCELERATE and VERDI projects where efforts to provide information and advice on the impact of physical activity in pediatric cancer patients, on COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine clinical trials and on the importance of establishing transnational registries, respectively. This initiative have been instrumental to improving community health, especially in vulnerable populations. This is further augmented through efforts with Patient Advocacy groups, like the EUPATI Cyprus, supporting patients’ education and unmet needs.

MedIC as a Center of Excellence

Medicine Innovation Center (MedIC) was founded by the School of Medicine to serve as a regional research platform in biomedicine, targeting not only the region of Cyprus, but also internationally. The establishment of MedIC as a center of Excellence is in full alignment with the EUC School of Medicine, Mission, Vision and Values.

Objectives and Goals

As a Center of Excellence, the Medical Innovation Center will serve as structure to support Research, Education and Development, and Clinical Service in Medicine and Public Health, with measurable scientific production, training, and technological innovation. MedIC will set forth with three Units of expertise, already established and accomplished pillars in the School of Medicine, namely:

1. Medical Research and Development;
2. Medical Education and Training;
3. Clinical Care

As outlined by the European Commission (Action for “centers of excellence” with a European dimension), MedIC has established itself as “a structure where RTD is performed of world standard, in terms of measurable scientific production (including training) and/or technological innovation”.

As such, MedIC has already established experience or shows promise in all factors deemed crucial for success, namely:

1. a “critical mass” of high-level scientists and/or technology developers;
2. a well-identified structure (mostly based on existing structures) having a specific research vision and agenda;
3. the capability for integrating connected fields, associating complementary skills and utilizing interdisciplinarity’s power;
4. the capability for maintaining a high rate of exchange of qualified human resources;
5. the capability for having a dynamic role in the surrounding innovation system;
6. the capability for having high levels of international visibility and scientific and/or industrial connectivity;
7. the capability for having a reasonable stability of funding and operating conditions over time;
8. the capability for having sources of funding not dependent on public funding.

To this end, MedIC has a “critical mass” of scientists, a well-defined structure and research agenda, demonstrated multi-disciplinary integration, a dynamic role in the surrounding system, high levels of international scientific visibility, and established funding, as underscored throughout this proposal.

More specifically, in the short history of the School of Medicine, these key areas have a strong history of:

• funding (current/running funding > 1 million Euros)
• research and coordination in areas of expertise (15+ expert fields)
• notable community healthcare support actions
• active involvement/employment of members
• collaboration with various well-established organizations and institutions

MedIC seeks to progress healthcare by accentuating the need for continuous improvement and advancements in healthcare practices and facilitating an environment conducive to excellent patient care. The goal is to achieve timely access to high-quality treatments and provide access to difficult to obtain medications.

The research delivered aims to drive innovation in healthcare and will encourage development of healthcare centers. Consultations, enabling patient outcome analysis, will be completed followed by facilitation of evidence-based decision making.

On-site training on novel techniques and equipment by our health professionals will be delivered to hospital heads, doctors, nurses, and staff to promote justifiable, efficient, and effective healthcare. Medicine Innovation Center (MedIC) of Excellence will serve to:

• Create synergies with international centers of Excellence in the field of Medicine and Clinical research.
• Provide high quality, focused research in basic and clinical research, including: Clinical trials, Neuroscience, Public Health, Infectious diseases, Cancer, and Cardiovascular diseases. These fields mirror the internal skills and capacity of the School of Medicine, as well as the local needs and gaps of the medical/pharmaceutical sector.
• Improve public health care and medical practices that are currently accessible.
• Effectively reach out to patient communities, such as patient advocacy groups to communicate necessities, gaps and concerns to medical professionals with applicable solutions
• Capitalize on the opportunities offered by ERASMUS+ for both student and staff training so that both groups may develop/progress their skills excel in their careers.
• Develop and design an exemplary Curriculum and life-long learning opportunities that highlight the key academic and medical achievements.
• Build an attractive and competitive profile with expertise in the initiation and nurturing of solid partnerships with external stakeholders, such as other research institutions, enterprises and/or hospitals.