Over three intense and inspiring days, the RaDAR Project consortium came together in Barcelona for two in-person working sessions, complemented by site visits and a Stakeholders Meeting that concluded the gathering in a virtual format due to a weather alert in Catalonia.
Advancing Innovation in Public Procurement
The first two days were dedicated to the consortium meeting, where partners aligned on progress, procurement pathways and next steps in advancing Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Funded by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) under the COSME Programme, RaDAR continues to position PPI as a strategic instrument to accelerate healthcare innovation and strengthen Europe’s response to AMR.
A key highlight of the Barcelona meeting was the opportunity to visit two leading Catalan healthcare institutions: Hospital del Mar and Laboratori de Referència de Catalunya, SA. These visits provided a first-hand look at how the RaDAR methodology is being embedded in real clinical environments.
At Hospital del Mar and the Laboratori de Referència de Catalunya, partners explored how structured need identification, accelerated procurement cycles and value-based approaches are being applied to tackle AMR challenges. The exchanges underscored the strength of coordinated demand, shared learning and structured market engagement — core pillars of the RaDAR approach. By contextualising innovation procurement within operational healthcare settings, the project is transforming theoretical frameworks into practical, scalable solutions.
A Connected European Dialogue
The third day, dedicated to the Stakeholders Meeting, transitioned online due to severe weather conditions. Despite the change in format, engagement remained high, with buyers and stakeholders from across Europe actively contributing insights and perspectives.
Discussions spanned multiple governance levels — from local hospital implementation to regional and cross-border procurement models. Participants shared lessons learned, operational experiences and strategic reflections on shaping sustainable innovation ecosystems.
From the micro-level dynamics of bacterial resistance to rapid detection models and collaborative procurement strategies, and from stewardship governance to global market-shaping mechanisms, RaDAR demonstrates how these dimensions can be connected into one coherent framework. The project illustrates how PPI can serve not only as a tool to combat antimicrobial resistance, but also as a lever to open new markets, de-risk innovation and foster co-creation between demand and supply.
Building Momentum for Systemic Change
The Barcelona sessions reaffirmed the value of in-person collaboration in driving alignment and accelerating progress. At the same time, the successful online Stakeholders Meeting highlighted the resilience and commitment of the RaDAR community.
By integrating healthcare providers, laboratories, procurement experts and policymakers, RaDAR is building a structured pathway for innovation adoption in the fight against AMR. Its work demonstrates that well-designed procurement strategies can move beyond transactional purchasing to become catalysts for systemic change.
A sincere thank you goes to all partners, stakeholders and contributors who made these three days impactful, dynamic and forward-looking. Together, they are shaping a stronger, more coordinated European response to antimicrobial resistance — and redefining how innovation reaches the healthcare systems that need it most.
