Recapping a record-breaking Kraków HTA Symposium

The 11^th edition of Certara’s Kraków HTA Symposium (June 9–10) brought together a record-breaking crowd of 150+ participants from across Central and Eastern Europe to discuss the evolving role of health technology assessment (HTA) in shaping access to innovation and sustainable healthcare systems.

This year’s programme focused on current policy transformations, implementation of EU-wide HTA regulations, evidence standards, and access barriers in disease areas such as obesity, diabetes, and rare diseases. Experts from ministries of health, HTA agencies, academia, patient groups, and industry contributed to high-level panels and practical debates.

In 2025, the Symposium again incorporated a charitable element: part of the proceeds supported patient initiatives in the fields of rare diseases and obesity treatment.

The event was held at the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology in Kraków.

• A regional discussion on Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) implementation in Central and Eastern Europe, featuring speakers from Slovenia, Bulgaria, Poland, and Hungary.
• A discussion on the impact of new anti-obesity and diabetes therapies, which addressed economic and societal challenges as well as the future of coordinated care in Poland (KOS-BAR). In particular, experts explored the growing role of flozins (SGLT2 inhibitors) not only in diabetes management, but also as promising agents for weight loss and cardio-metabolic protection. As the evidence base expands, these treatments are drawing increasing attention in HTA discussions regarding their broader value and long-term health impact.
• A session on the Amendment to the Polish Reimbursement Act, with insights from the Ministry of Health, HTA experts, legal advisors, and payers.
• A debate on the evolving role of medical devices versus pharmacotherapy in modern treatment, with contributions from the European Society of Cardiology, Polish governmental Medical Research Agency, and academic experts.
• A cross-country panel on how health policy influences HTA outcomes, with perspectives from Ukraine, Moldova, Czechia, and Bulgaria.
• A thought-provoking session titled “AI in Evidence Synthesis – Holy Grail or Trojan Horse?”, with internationally recognised speakers from Spain, Italy, and Certara.
• Panels on adult vaccination as a long-term investment in public health and improving access to orphan drugs in Central and Eastern Europe.

If you’re interested in accessing any of the presentations shared during the 11th Annual HTA Syposium, please contact Malwina Holownia ([email protected]).

The Symposium welcomed representatives from a wide array of public institutions, including:

• Ministries of Health (Poland, Slovenia, Ukraine, Moldova, Italy)
• Polish HTA Agency, National Health Insurance Company (Moldova), National Council on Prices and Reimbursement of Medicinal Products (Bulgaria), governmental Medical Research Agency (Poland), Polish National Health Fund regional offices
• Academic institutions such as University of Granada, Johns Hopkins, Collegium Medicum of Jagiellonian University, Institute of Mother and Child, and Polish medical universities

A total of 25 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies registered for the event, highlighting the industry’s growing interest in HTA and collaboration in the assessment of innovative technologies.

A special thank you to the companies whose generous support made this year’s event a success.