Euro Convergence 2025 Welcome and Opening Plenary: The Future of Regulation and European Competitiveness

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

16:30 - 18:30 CEST

Location: Gold Hall (level 0)

Keynote Panelist(s)

Peter Bischoff-Everding, PhD (he/him/his)

Senior expert
European Commission, Directorate-General Health and Food safety , Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium

Moderator(s)

Koen Cobbaert (he/him/his)

Senior Manager Regulatory Science & Policy
Philips
Brussels, Belgium

Slides

Panelist(s)

Stephen Gilbert, PhD (he/him/his)

Professor of Medical Device Regulatory Science
Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Technische Universität Dresden
Dresden, United States
Jana Russo, MA

Manager Medical Devices
MedTech Europe
Steffen Thirstrup, MD, PhD (he/him/his)

Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
European Medicines Agency (EMA)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Erik R. Vollebregt

Attorney at Law and Partner
Axon Lawyers
Amsterdam, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

In 2024 and 2025, Europe is poised to overcome challenges related to market innovations and financial growth. While some have pointed to 'over-regulation' as a potential hurdle, this session will explore proactive strategies to enhance our regulatory framework. Enjoy a keynote presentation about digital health innovations, followed by an engaging panel discussion. The discussion will focus on innovative approaches to support small- and medium-sized enterprises while continuing to uphold the highest standards of quality and safety. Join us as we envision and craft a vibrant future where regulatory affairs and European competitiveness flourish in harmony.