30-04-2026 11.08

0:00

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

I'm not sure if everyone is aware of what it means, but it's basically a position paper, or more than a position paper, it's basically a strategy paper by the European Commission.

0:10

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

that Europe should become the most attractive place to conduct life sciences research in 2030. That's quite an ambitious goal, as you can envision. And this is undermined by or substantiated by certain different activities. So one is to address the European competitiveness. This is part of the life science strategy.

0:33

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

which requires industry support and we of course know that some of our member states more than others maybe are advanced in working this industry but this is also an overarching topic in our work program so this is quite nicely aligned we're addressing this already even so we didn't know at that time when we put the work program together on the 10-year strategy the license strategy 2030.

0:56

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So here we will also look with our national notes and specific member states into how this can be also tagged on the European level.

1:05

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

And then the other aspect is that part of the Lifestyle Strategy 2030 is the clinical research investment plan. And this is of specific interest because it targets also from the European Commission, very specifically, the EU-AMRI partners. So ECRA, EATRES, and VMI, we have been in very close contact now with the...

1:29

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

unit of the Directorate for Research at the European Commission to see how this clinical research investment plan can be basically implemented in terms of funding structures and so on. And as you know, I believe my Eric and here, our national note in Norway with Christian.

1:49

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

is basically coordinating a new project which conceptualizes the setup of large medical cohorts. So this is also part of this investment plan, which can be then implemented after you've developed the concept. So this comes in quite timely, actually. And as you can imagine, BMI is coordinating it, and ECRA is also a core partner of this consortium.

2:16

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

We work very closely here with the European Commission, what that can mean for us. That will also mean that, of course, we as a distributed research infrastructure and Bibermaieric, we all need to bring you as the biobanks and national nodes basically into this concept. So you are the backbone of our infrastructure. Clinical research investment plan starts right at the local level with the biobanks, so to say. And we will keep you updated on the developments. There's nothing.

2:44

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Yet what is CRISP and that can be shared and where certain activities are needed right now, but it's basically lobbying.

2:51

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

for having the biobanks very closely engaged in this implementation of the clinical research investment plan. And also most likely, and this may be something for you to look into now already, to have close links to clinical trial management. And there we have already on the European level now conducted a strategic collaboration agreement between Ekran and Bibermaieric. This will be still.

3:17

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

coming out as a press release, but this is where we also see the closed links in addressing this clinical research investment plan. Then also for you to consider already maybe now in terms of sampling, on samples and data, there will be a shift in the next EU programs from mainly the cancer and cancer mission to cardiovascular research. So this is also something.

3:43

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

And then last but not least, we have also discussed about the European Open Science Cloud, short EOSC and European Health Data Space. We have seen that Petra has reported about this substantially, that we have been very successful in the setup of BMI as one of the first 13 EOSC nodes to build the federation. And we have also successfully delivered our...

4:08

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

UMI-led use case for use of AI and digital pathology. This can be and should be still scanned, so that's also a plea to all of you who are working with digital pathology data and more AI to maybe come back to our IT department or get back to Saba or the central office, whatever is easiest. But I think there needs to look for interested partners to join us in this future endeavors.

4:35

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Then in addition, there is also a major interest across national nodes for an exchange task force on the national European health data space implementation because this is in many countries not clear conceptualized yet who is taking what role and what should be basically the institutions engaged. Obviously, it's very clear that the biobank is operating.

5:00

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

The interface between clinical routine and translational research and national nodes can play a very supportive role, if not even a kind of more formal role in the national implementation. I think this is very valuable to hear exchange experiences across our different member states.

5:20

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So this is, in short, we'll keep you updated on those activities, specifically what the Life Science Strategy 2030 with a competitiveness and clinical research investment plan might bring about for our community. So please stay tuned on that.

5:40

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

I'm just checking. I didn't see any hands raised. I didn't see any questions in the chat yet. So I think we'll just continue. And yes, sorry, Eleanor, I forgot to mention that, of course, there is a very other important aspect to be pointed out by Eleanor, Head of Outreach Education Communication, the plea for the EU Biobank Week, which is coming up very soon. Eleanor, please.

6:04

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Thanks, Jens. Next slide, please. Excuse my voice, it's recovering. Yes, I just wanted to give you an update on the preparation that's happening at the moment. Three weeks time for Europe Biobank Week 26, which is happening in Prague from the 19th to the 22nd of May. There's a picture of Prague and that's the view from the Congress Centre. So we would be really pleased to welcome you. Next slide.

6:32

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

I just want to give a brief outline of what you can expect. So if you haven't booked on already, or if you have, this is what will be happening. If you're familiar with EBW, you know that we do education workshops for participants before it all kicks off. And there are four really good ones planned for this year on engaging patients on IT infrastructure and the BBMRI ERIC ecosystem.

6:58

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

on data quality with QM and on microbiome as well for One Health, which you'll know is a major topic. Next slide.

7:08

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

We're really pleased to welcome two very different keynotes that offer great individual propositions. So the first one is Joachim Rockloff, who will be talking about how the climate crisis is affecting infectious diseases, dynamics across Europe. That will be fascinating. And also Aneta Tashkiewicz from FPA, who will be talking about, Jens has touched on it already, the importance of...

7:37

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

biotech innovation and research across europe and she'll be looking at that through the lens of the eu biotech act next slide across the four days there's four tracks that are happening so if you've submitted an abstract and is speaking or presenting a poster thank you we've had some terrific submissions this year i'm just putting together the abstract books now

8:01

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

But there are four tracks, biobanking without borders, one on ethics, one on fit-for-purpose data quality, and advancing biobanking, looking at several different domains. Next slide.

8:14

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

If you want to get a flavour of the sorts of topics that will be coming up, we're really delighted that the community have been part of looking forward to the Congress as part of the editorial tasters that have been published on the website. So the QR code will take you to Maria Luisa Lavetrano's article on developing skills for the future of biobanking. That's a really great read and you can expect those topics to come up at the Congress. Next slide.

8:44

S… Speaker 3 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Also,

8:46

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

We'd love to welcome you to the networking dinner, which is always a really lovely event. And this year, we're delighted that it'll be at the National House for Naradi in Prague. It's an absolutely stunning venue. And you can see the room that we'll be occupying for the dinner and networking. So it's a really great way to relax and talk to people across the Congress and connect and dance and have fun. If you've registered and not bought a ticket, get in contact with AIM.

9:15

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

or if you're not sure drop me a line i'll put my email in the chat if you're still to register make sure you select it so that you've got a ticket to come because they are limited next slide

9:29

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

We've published the full programme. It's incrementally being updated. But if you've seen our socials, we've been introducing the chairs and whatnot. But if you want to have a full explore of the papers that will be coming up, have a look at the biographies of the people that are speaking. There's the QR code that will take you to the full programme on the website. And finally, next slide, please. And make sure you register. So three weeks' time. We'd be delighted to see you.

9:56

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Just so you know, last year we welcomed people from 40...

10:00

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

seven different countries. And this year we're welcoming people from 49 different countries. So be part of that and we'll see you in a couple of weeks. Thank you.

10:11

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Thank you very much, Eleanor. And many thanks also to putting a fantastic program together to our national notes from Netherlands and Belgium. Anneliese is online, I know. I haven't seen Jörg, but a big, big thanks. And also, of course, a big, big thanks to our local host in Czech Republic to take care of everything around EBW. So many, many thanks for that.

10:40

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

All right, then let's move on. Petra, please, the floor is yours. Thank you. Next slide, please. So I am reporting here on behalf of the strategic objective tool, which is part of the work program implementation, and that is dealing with datification.

10:57

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Basically, it's part of a multi-year work program. So last year, the primary focus was on the analysis of needs and gaps and opportunities. And this year, it's the development of the datification concept based on different readiness levels of the biobanks, development of some initial curriculum for data in life sciences and related training material. And next year, we'll do piloting and further refinement based on the feedback.

11:24

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

And here I would like to just highlight also participation of different national nodes of BBMRI. We have a very broad engagement. We are very delighted to see that most of the operational goals of the strategic objective are led and co-led by the member states from Norway, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium.

11:51

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Switzerland. So big thanks for the engagement. And if we look at the evolution and involvement of the member states, basically almost all the member states are involved in the strategic objectives too. Next slide, please.

12:09

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

As I said, last year and beginning of this year was invested in getting the overview of where we stand with the datification and what are the most burning challenges to target with the datification strategy. And that's why we have set up a questionnaire, which was, again, consensus process across many different member states and stakeholders.

12:33

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

which maps the following areas from institutional background to datification capabilities at source, reproducible and traceable research and traceable data at source, interoperability barriers, expansion of federated platform, digital pathology, and other imaging resources and capacities to host resulting data.

12:53

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

The questionnaire is still open. Formerly it had a deadline of February 20th, but we would still like to invite you to participate. So you can use the QR code or the link on the slide.

13:06

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

and take it from there it takes about 50 minutes to fill it based on our experiences so far and it's often collaboration across different people within the biobank and affiliated data sources and in the few next slides i will just give you a quick glimpse into the results that we have received so far

13:30

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

As you can see on the left graph or map out of the 81 responses we've got theories in some countries in some member states We have pretty high coverage in some member states. It's a bit lower coverage

13:47

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

And when it comes to absolute numbers, because also we have different numbers of biobanks per country, you can see that certain countries are very heavily involved like Spain and Switzerland.

14:02

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

and we would like to urge the biobanks from the other countries to also respond because we would like to get as broad coverage and broad mapping of what is happening in different countries as possible. Third institutions were also available for a further interview follow-up which will follow up soon. Next slide please.

14:27

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So if I quickly walk through the areas where we received results, first was the datification capabilities at source, which is focusing on mapping the modalities that are available in different biobanks, data modalities, and how they coexist. So you can nicely see on the right side in the upset diagram that we are already having some biobanks that start to act as patient-centric multimodal data resource. They have capability.

14:57

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

to link together different data, be it

15:00

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

digital pathology data with next gen sequencing or with radiology imaging. And we have low numbers, typically one biobank that is capable of doing even more of those data sources.

15:15

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

45% have clinical information, and when it comes to omics data, first hit is obviously NGS, where Illumina is leading, and there is a long tail of other technologies available in the biobanks. And when it comes to imaging, the whole slide imaging in digital pathology is prevailing, and then naturally comes their radiology. Next slide.

15:39

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

When it comes to data traceability and quality, we were lucky to identify about 10 advanced biobanks, which are also willing to share their experiences with the other biobanks. And the key challenges that we should target with the datification strategy are related to the lack of automation of traceability and quality management and dealing with data linkage and its traceability and quality. Next slide.

16:09

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

When it comes to interoperability challenges, we use the survey to also map what is happening in terms of different standards in different countries and different challenges that are in different countries to help us target which data standards, which ontologies to focus on when it comes to next generation of discovery services and federated platform evolution.

16:37

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

We see pretty good coverage here of what we have in mind, and we're also able to correlate it geographically to make sure that we're supporting all of the member states and all of Europe with their priorities and also with their challenges. Next slide.

16:55

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

When it comes to federated platform, the key challenges that were identified through the answer so far were demonstrating value and sustainability to be able to find and promote success stories and to sustain the investment that is done by the biobanks by connecting to the federated platform, the capacity and expertise, both the technical capacity and the human expertise, metadata quality and harmonization, access to primary data,

17:24

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

feed it into the federated platform. So again, topics to address in the upcoming strategies.

17:33

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Next area is the on-demand accessibility of data and making data as easily accessible as possible, possibly also through the data generation using synthetic data as a temporary proxy to access the real data. Here we have strong community around digital pathology, so all the pilots are going in that direction.

17:59

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

And about 19% of the biobanks that responded reported whole site image availability, which is good and we would like to strengthen that community. And we also have seen that there is sometimes a disconnect between the biobanks and the pathology centers. So we would like to support the local communities to link together.

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S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

their resources and make the pathology centers also visible through BBMRI and make the data accessible.

18:32

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

And through this activity, there was also support for MIABIS evolution toward digital pathology. And last area is the capacities to host resulting data, where we have seen that quite substantial, more than half of the biominkers that responded had no policy for handling return data.

18:55

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Out of that group, 100% would like to be engaged and was engaged in questions related to hurdles related to data return. And about 35% is willing to continue in the follow-up discussions and the evolution of the strategy for data return. And the important part is we also identified a group of biobanks, 14 biobanks that have practical end-to-end experience. And even seven of them do.

19:24

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

data quality monitoring of the return data and we would like to use their experiences to further develop the concepts and help the other biobanks to support the data return and enrichment of the data so that we can more effectively support data-based research. So I think that's it from my end.

19:46

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Thank you very much, Petra. I don't see any hands up directly. I didn't see any questions right in the chat for you. So maybe go back to this in the Q&A session and then move on to the green.

20:00

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

incentive, a very important aspect which Sawa will bring to your heart. Sawa, please.

20:06

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Thank you, Jens. Good morning, everyone. Very happy to present the green incentive concept that we have developed as part of the EVOLVE project that started in January 2024. And it's also one of our main strategic objectives within Strategic Objective 3 to achieve a green biobanking approach, including the green incentive and green label.

20:30

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So this work has also been developed with the WHO, who are co-leading this, but mainly within the Evolve BBMRI project. So this concept was really developed with the idea to encourage biobanks to...

20:45

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

implement more green and environmentally friendly practices within their daily activities and operations. So the framework proposed here defines the eligibility criteria and establishes a formal process for the biobanks to apply to and will be reviewed by an expert panel within BBMRI and recognized and then the biobanks that comply with this criteria will obviously be awarded the green label on our directory.

21:13

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

I'll run you through the process and the first part is how we define this criteria and what are the biobanks qualifying for this. So obviously all biobanks within our network can apply for this green incentive or the green label. They are also part of the national notes and they can also choose

21:35

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

the maturity level they want to apply for and we have identified three different maturity levels for biobanks to apply and comply with. So the first entry level or the PROMS tier is basically implementation of initial sustainability awareness, basic documentation in place by the biobank that documents policy, minimal data collection and so on.

22:03

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

If the biobank would like to go further ahead and apply for the advanced level, this outlines basically formal sustainability planning, measurable targets, some energy. Excuse me.

22:20

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

My voice is also recovering from a cold. Some energy, water and waste management actions. They have documented basic data management for environmental metrics. If the biobank is quite advanced with their sustainability planning, then they can apply for the gold or the lead-in.

22:38

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

tier which is basically demonstrating a comprehensive sustainability program integrated into their operations with long-term planning with funding opportunities training for their staff and industry collaboration to implement some green practices and in addition to a very robust data governance and reporting strategy next slide please

23:03

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So this incentive obviously is designed to be inclusive, but we want to keep it progressive so the biobanks are eligible if they commit to and demonstrate progress within their defined time frame. Across five core domains that we have actually identified from the survey, the Green Biobanking Survey that we distributed last year and the majority of you have replied to.

23:28

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So the core eligibility domains and the minimum requirements that will take over 12 months to comply with is the first one is governance and strategic planning. And here I will not go into so much details, but basically in this domain, the Biobank has to demonstrate or establishes accountability and a roadmap for their sustainability strategy.

23:53

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

In the second domain, which is energy efficiency and carbon reduction, here we target the largest source of environmental impact and what we picked up on from the responses of the survey, mainly the ultra-low temperature freezers and their facilities. The third domain is waste management and circular economy or circular practices.

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S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

elements that minimises waste generation and promote the reuse and address major gaps that we have also identified from the survey.

24:29

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Fourth domain is focused on sustainable procurement and digital infrastructure. And here we focus on leveraging purchasing power and smart technology for sustainability practices. And this is also part of the evolved pilot study that also was distributed to the national nodes. And the fifth and final domain is training, engagement and collaboration. And here, basically, we want to see that there is a knowledge base.

25:00

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

being built, a culture of green environmental practices and partnership with industry, and also to address critical gaps in staff training and industry collaboration. Next slide, please.

25:13

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So the second part is how to implement this incentive procedure, how the biobanks can apply. So we have divided it into a few phases. The first phase is the application and the self-assessment. And this we give one to two months for biobanks to take on board and apply for, comply with the procedure here. The biobank will register their interest.

25:41

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

via our website and then they will be given access to a digital self-assessment tool kit and guidelines how to comply with this process and the self-assessment obviously will be completed by a buyer bank and it's really a detailed checklist let's say against the tier criteria that i have identified earlier and this will help us to identify the current status of the buyer bank and which

26:09

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

what are the target tiers so this action plan is to submit a 12 month green action plan detailing projects timelines responsibilities for the biobanks and resources needed to meet the targeted tier criteria the second phase is a review and validation and here we at the bbmri

26:38

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

team will check the completeness of the self-assessments submitted by the Biobank and then review the action plan submitted also for feasibility, for alignment with also the criteria. And then once this has been reviewed and analyzed, a provisional green incentive status for 12 months will be granted for implementation.

27:11

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Next slide, please. The third phase is implementation and support. And here the procedure is for the applying biobank to access our content of the evolved projects, access to peer networks and expert webinars that will help them to build a green biobanking strategy and plan.

27:38

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

And here, of course, to monitor the progress of the biobanks, we ask the biobanks to submit quarterly progress reports through a simplified dashboard on our website. And here we will have a dedicated support for the biobanks to achieve their goals. And we hope that this will be done within the timeline outlined here, so up to 12 months of the application procedure.

28:06

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

The fourth phase is the final audit and certification. Evidence from the Biobank has to be submitted to evaluate their data collection, green plan, invoices and training for their staff. And of course, the expert panel at the BPMRI will verify this evidence against the criteria they applied for. So if they applied for entry level or...

28:33

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

medium the silver tier or the gold tier this will be evaluated and then the panel will then award the green label in accordance with the entry level and this will be valid for two years and of course it will have to be

28:49

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Obviously reviewed, and this is in the final phase, but the compliant biobank will be awarded the green label on our direction. The final phase is the renewal and advancement, and this will be ongoing. And to maintain the green label, biobanks must demonstrate maintained performance for their action plan and submit a new plan showing advancement towards the next tier on their plan. Next slide, please. Okay, that was the last slide for the green incentive.

29:24

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Any questions? Yeah, I think Saba, maybe you continue with the last agenda item and then we take questions. Okay. Okay, so the second presentation will focus on the Biobank Operations Sustainability Assessment Survey that we distributed to our national nodes, who in turn distributed to all of you. This survey focuses on the Empower National Nodes needs, nodes and biobanks.

29:55

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

as part of the strategic objective fives so within

30:00

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

In 2025, we worked on designing this survey that focuses on mapping and identifying operational bottlenecks, financial sustainability issues, and strategic infrastructure gaps and needs to inform future funding, policy, and capacity building initiatives for our biobanking community. And its impact will be a comparable evidence-based benchmark performance and needs across biobanks to highlight priority investments and capacity building needs.

30:28

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

and also to inform targeted funding and policy measures, and ultimately to strengthen long-term resilience and trust and scientific value of our biobanks within our network. Next slide, please.

30:42

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So this survey, which received very good feedback, and I thank all of you for filling it out, we tried to keep it as simple as possible. I will go through the different sections of the survey, but the idea was to make it as easy as possible for the buyer banks to reply to this, so we kept it to multiple choice or yes and no answer, and kept the free text sections to a minimum.

31:09

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So in the first section, we wanted to have general information about the demographics of the biobanks, where they are based, their size, certain legal status, and so on. The second section dealt with human resources and staffing model, and we wanted to assess the stability and adequacy of the biobank's workforce to identify if the facility has the necessary expertise and staff number to maintain operational sustainability.

31:37

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

The third section, we focused on operational infrastructure and quality, and here the focus is to map the current infrastructure capabilities, identify technical needs from the biobank, determine the level of quality assurance and standardization currently implemented and operational in the biobank.

31:58

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

The fourth section focuses on financial sustainability and business model, and here we wanted to identify the financial bottlenecks identified by the biobanks, determine the reliance on specific funding sources, whether they are mostly funded by grants or co-funding from the institutes and so on, and also to evaluate the long-term economic viability of their operations. Next slide, please.

32:27

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

This section focuses on biobank continuity plans, and here we wanted to verify that the biobank has a robust strategy to protect samples, data, and ethical commitments during the leadership changes. So if the PI responsible for the collection moves on to another institute and so on, or there is funding loss or catastrophic events.

32:53

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

And this is really to ensure long-term resilience and maintenance of the biobank and the collections. Sixth section is utilization and access. And here we wanted to see the value proposition of the biobank and return on the investment. And otherwise, what is the percentage of the biobank's collections in terms of samples and data are actually being used or being requested?

33:16

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Seventh section is focused on ethical, legal and societal implications. And here we wanted to understand ethical, legal landscape of the buyer bank to ensure that they comply with regulations and identify common hurdles that may hinder data and sample sharing. So whether it's on a national level or an European level.

33:38

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Eighth section, needs and assessments and future gaps. Here we wanted to pinpoint specific resource gaps and needs within the biobank and urgent priorities for them, providing data to guide future funding, allocation, policymaking and capacity building initiatives within the biobank.

33:57

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

to help them advance further with their activities. And the final section is focused on communication and outreach to stakeholders. Again, we wanted to assess the level of the biobank's integration into the wider scientific and public communities, which is essential for long-term viability, trust and partnership opportunities. So how well are you integrated within your community?

34:24

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

well informed your community of your activities whether on a public level or within your scientific ecosystem and these are basically the nine sections of the survey and i am this is a plea also for those who haven't filled it out please send us your responses as soon as you can the survey is still open and i'm happy to respond to any questions thank you

34:50

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Thanks a lot, Sava. I think we have then come to an end of the specific presentations and thanks to basically close the slides.

35:00

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So we can see each other better. I hope you realize that we today presented basically two key surveys. First one on datafication, which is really important. And the other one on the biobank sustainability, which is also super important. So both are really key to the wider development of the infrastructure. And as you can see for the...

35:23

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Basically, the first agenda item that Sarah presented with the green incentives, this is coming out from the survey that you have been answering before.

35:33

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So there is a development, which is a plea that whoever has not responded to these two surveys on datafication and the biobank sustainability, if you don't capture what maybe is the most urgent need for you or the gap, so to say, we cannot account for it in the future activities necessarily. So it's very important that we get a very good representation, a very good overview across the wider infrastructure in order to then also know.

36:00

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

what we need to prioritize, what we need to lobby for outside the European Commission to potentially set up.

36:08

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

finances, budget projects towards the needs that you really have. We consider you really as the backbone of survival infrastructure. So we really would like to understand in order to support also further developments on your side. So really, if you haven't answered these two surveys, they're so core to our future and current operations. Please do

36:36

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

answer them because it is really important.

36:39

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

The other aspect, I think, is how I pointed out, the green incentives. This is now basically getting closer to be rolled out. I think there is still ways to feedback. And Saba, maybe one word from your side, how to approach you or the team. Basically, if you feel it now, we can open the floor right now. And this is why we brought it up here specifically. But of course, any questions to anything that has been presented today, the floor is open.

37:08

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

for any questions. So I'm checking basically the chat, but no, I don't see any questions in the chat. Anyone here, just raise your hand. If you don't manage to raise the hand, just speak up. Also possibility. But I would say these are really core surveys that need to be answered. The green incentives, also something that is...

37:42

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Similar to the cool label, something which will be also very, very important in future new calls seen by industry partners as well. So this might go hand in hand at some point also be visualized in our directory. At some point, any comments, any questions? Anyone? Here's Carolina from Germany. Great. Thank you very much, Saba, for the talks about green biobanking.

38:15

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

I would be interested where can we get more information about the catalogue or things like that to get an impression what's needed for.

38:27

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Thank you for your question. Of course, we are within the EVOLVE project. We are also developing guidelines for the green biobanking operations. This will be shared with the community towards the end of the year because we have also a deliverable, but we are currently working on this. And as soon as they are finalized, of course, we will share with you. And the same thing for the green incentive. This will also be shared, hopefully, towards the end of the year.

38:53

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

that we have to submit. But the process is almost finalized and I'm quite happy with it. Thank you. Yeah, I see another question in the chat, which are the 10 advanced biobanks also willing to share their experience. Of course, I think we don't have a list of the most advanced biobanks as such because every biobank might have a different setup and all the biobanks I have been visiting.

39:21

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

They're just all different from each other. So I think this is the first part. And then if you look at advancement, in which direction? It could be on the greening, it could be on the quality, it could be on access concepts in terms of LTS facts, it could be on datafication. So I think everybody has slightly different priorities, probably is differently advanced in all these different activities and domains in and around biobanking.

39:49

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Maybe, Maria, if you could basically specify that. Well, Petra knows already that this is targeting. I think Maria was referring to...

40:00

S… Speaker 3 (30-04-2026 11.08)

because I was explicitly mentioning those advanced biobanks that are willing to share their experiences when it comes to data traceability and quality, which is strategic goal 2.2, which was the matrix I was showing based on the self-assessment. And then we have a similar number of the different ones that have experiences with the data return, those 14 ones and seven of them being willing to share the experiences.

40:27

S… Speaker 3 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So these are now actively worked with by the respective strategic goals within strategic objective two. I think we can't work with them in a way that every biobank would individually approach those 10 or 7 or 14, because that would be then totally overwhelming for those. So rather extracting common approaches, collecting those that are interested for guidance.

40:53

S… Speaker 3 (30-04-2026 11.08)

collecting their needs and working with those ten or seven that are willing to work with the others on developing the concepts and testing it. Yeah, absolutely. Thanks for explaining this and Maria just indeed confirmed it's about datafication, so Petra, you put it right. And I think this is, as you described the concept, this is basically how we envision this.

41:22

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

implementation through the work of the 10-year roadmap that individual basically experts across the wider community come together and address certain parts of implementation within operational goals within the strategic objectives that in the end then the wider community will benefit from all the work and expertise put in into these developments so to say so that not everybody needs to do everything

41:48

S… Speaker 3 (30-04-2026 11.08)

but we can basically share responsibilities and workload across the shoulders. Maybe I would have just one small addendum. Please bear in mind that this is based on the so far results of that survey, and that is also heavily biased to certain countries, so we would like to really encourage, and a link to the survey is in the chat, from which you can click on it.

42:13

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

we would appreciate really more responses also from other countries. That would be my last message, so to say, but I iterated that already for both surveys. But what I wanted to say also in terms of the work program, so all these operational goals, they are open for anyone to participate there. So if you do want to do that, please reach out to your national note so that they can align you to the...

42:42

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

respective operational goals and also oversee that there's good representation across their national known community. So this is also just an invitation that the work program implementation is all the operational goals across eight strategic objectives. It's open for everyone in our community to join, so to say. Any other comments or questions?

43:12

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

just ask to give hands up or down what you feel and think about what Sava is presented with the three tiers, so to say, for the green incentives. Just a brief check back, so to say. Who is who would be? Oh, okay. All right. Good. Sava, this is kind of a very nice confirmation for all the work in this operational goal contributed by everyone. Very nice.

43:48

S… Speaker 4 (30-04-2026 11.08)

yes yes yes i agree that is a good presentation good very good intention i believe we need more

44:00

S… Speaker 4 (30-04-2026 11.08)

activity to get into this field. This is a new field, I guess, that many of us are already engaged for quality in biobanks. And this was the first, I think, aims to reach. And now this of green is, again, another objective. But we need more information. I think we need to have some group activity. I don't know what, but so...

44:28

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

um we need to know more so this is my message thank you do you want to respond directly yes absolutely once um we have the final okay also within

44:42

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

The EVOLVE project, I can share the full document that outlines in detail the requirement for each tier, what we meant by it, who could be responsible, how to comply with the different objectives that we set. And I think it will make a lot more sense. I couldn't go into it.

45:00

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

too much details today because of the time limitation, but I'll be happy to share the full document soon, I hope. As you all know, we have also governance in BMI-RX, everything that is developed through projects on the work program also will need to go through approval by the management committee. And this is a touch point where the latest, also the national notes, will and should reach out to the wider community for feedback, so to say. So this is silly.

45:32

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Okay, there will be a whiteboard loaded. I don't know what that means, but I have another question in the chat from Pilar. Thank you for your work. My question is not related to the topics mentioned, but somehow regarding the next steps in datafication. So Petra, that was most likely to you. Are you planning to create a position, a paper, report, or working group to further define our role in the European health data space for biobanks?

46:04

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

So I think this touches a little bit on what I have presented in the very beginning, where the national nodes at the last face-to-face meeting agreed and basically suggested to have an exchange task force so that the national nodes can learn from cross-country experiences on the setup. This is all in the flow.

46:26

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

We are aware that also the ministries from some of our member states are asking for consulting support here, also from BMI Eric, and that we are working closely with the national nodes on these aspects. But Petra, maybe you want to take this as well.

46:43

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

We have already provided a couple of internal position papers that are then discussed within the strategic leadership of BBMRI, including the national nodes. It has been also a topic which was discussed in the MCAOM extensively. That's why this task force has been suggested and suggested to be established.

47:09

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

When it comes to a public white paper, maybe that is a good idea, a good point to publish on the matter, but it requires first establishment of the task force and collection of what is happening in different countries because also the implementation of EHDS.

47:28

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

uh besides participation of the bb mara eric as a whole as a authorized participant is heavily nationally dependent and there are different national strategies which we were reflecting to the mcna om from some nodes having an ambition to become an hdap to data different options for data holders trusted data holders and so forth so these are

47:56

S… Speaker 2 (30-04-2026 11.08)

definitely topics where we need to collect more of these say national implementation approaches and publish it probably together with the recommendations or even not recommendations but rather options that are viable for the given biomedical resources. I think the statification of course is also then so this

48:23

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

The task force will entail, of course, all the aspects of the HGS implementation, including LC. Therefore, we are happy that Anto is now on board and has discussed also with the help desk network and LC, so to say, to tackle this and their joint forces. But, well, good. Any other comments or questions? And I see that Peter is agreeing with what we propose, and that's good that we aligned there.

48:59

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

No further comments or questions. We are three minutes to the end of the meeting and I would just reiterate my plea and please answer these two very strategic substantial surveys on datafication and on biobank sustainability.

49:22

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

This is really important. We will also follow up with the national nodes individually who from their network has already answered the survey and so that they can follow up with those ones in their network who haven't yet proposed surveys I would suggest and I think this is something that central office can support with.

49:43

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

to basically have one communication line here, and thanks for taking care of this barbara with the team. Then, of course, I look forward to further comments when we move on with the agreement incentive labels. I think this is already...

50:00

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

quite assured. Thanks also to the EU financial support through all the project revenues that we rolled out through the national notes in the wider community. And last but not least, I would also hope that most of you I will see in face-to-face at the EUW Congress in Prague.

50:23

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

I think it's one of the very few occasions where the wider Kudemai family can meet in full swing. So with this, I close this meeting. If you have any questions or comments, also later on, please poke any of us by email. Any communication lines are happy to take that. Stay healthy and hope to see you in Prague very soon. Thank you, everyone.

50:52

S… Speaker 1 (30-04-2026 11.08)

Cheers. Bye. Thank you. Bye-bye. Bye-bye. Have a nice afternoon. Bye-bye. Bye. Bye.

30-04-2026 11.08

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