The European Institute will host a special meeting with Dr. Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Deputy Director-General of DG Research and Innovation at the European Commission on "Growing Healthcare Research SMEs in Europe."
One of the key challenges facing Small and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs) is obtaining early stage funding for healthcare research and development. For these innovative and ambitious SMEs, public funding for healthcare research has become increasingly important. Dr. Draghia-Akli will discuss the tools utilized by Horizon 2020, the EU's framework program for funding research and innovation, in support of growing the role of SMEs in the health field. She will also offer her perspective on EU-U.S. cooperation on health research and innovation, including opportunities for U.S. companies and researchers to participate in Horizon 2020.
As Deputy Director-General Dr. Draghia-Akli is responsible for the Research Programs and serves as the Commission representative in the Governing Boards of most Joint Technology Initiatives of the EU with different industrial sectors. Dr. Draghia-Akli joined the European Commission in 2009 as Director for Health Research in DG Research and Innovation. She has contributed considerably during these past years to the successes of the Health Program. She holds a MD degree and a PhD degree in human genetics from the University Carol Davilla, Romania; has participated in a fellowship program in Genetics and Metabolic Pathology Department in René Descartes University in France as well as a post-doctoral training in molecular biology at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas. Before joining the Commission, Dr. Draghia-Akli worked in biotechnology companies, as Vice President, managing research programs in the area of gene therapy and DNA vaccination.