Health Innovation Opportunities: Strategic Partnerships for the Development of the Medical Technology Sector

The development of advanced medical technologies, the acceleration of applied research, and facilitating access to clinical expertise are among the important aspects of the new partnerships proposed by the Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the field of medical technologies. The statement was made by Andrei Romancenco, Vice-Rector for Institutional Development, Digitalization and Internationalization, during the Moldova Health Economy Forum 2026.

The event brought together government officials, international experts, investors, and representatives of the academic community to identify new directions for the development of the healthcare and medical tourism industries. 

Romancenco presented the concept of the HealthTech Hub – a national platform dedicated to innovation and internationalization in the healthcare system of the Republic of Moldova, which will be established at the Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy. The platform will contribute to the modernization of the healthcare system by promoting interdisciplinary research, adopting advanced technologies, and supporting healthcare start-ups. The Hub will create a connection between education, research, and entrepreneurship, aimed at producing safe, validated, and scalable solutions for patients. The Hub will operate as a regional catalyst for digital medical technologies, artificial intelligence, and medical devices, with the goal of attracting investment and integrating the Republic of Moldova into global healthcare innovation networks. 

In this context, the Vice-Rector emphasized the importance of collaboration among academia, clinicians, researchers, and the business community in transforming innovative ideas into applicable medical solutions. “Entrepreneurs and investors may wonder what benefits they would gain from such a partnership if it were only about physical space or a modern building. We offer direct access to the expertise of our clinicians and researchers, access to various simulation environments, and real opportunities for scaling. The HealthTech Hub is an operational core that brings together clinical expertise, research, and technology. At the same time, it represents a campus dedicated to innovation, technology, and medicine – a space designed for talented people coming from the medical and engineering fields, as well as access to current and real-world data. Thirdly, it provides a pathway to internationalization, investment, and access to foreign markets,” Andrei Romancenco emphasized.

The expansion within the HealthTech Park opens up new prospects for creating an integrated ecosystem in the field of medical technologies. The priority areas of collaboration proposed to the business community and investors include: digital health and artificial intelligence (Digital Health&AI); innovation in medical devices; advanced diagnostic and laboratory technologies; and the clinical validation of scientific research – an increasingly sought-after area on the international market. The strategic objective of this initiative is to develop locally competitive medical technologies and applications, with a view to expanding them both on the national and international markets. The invitation extended to investors and private partners is not limited to physical presence within the technology park, but seeks to create a joint capacity for long-term work and innovation. 

In this context, Doina Nistor, President of the Moldova HiTech Park Council, noted that the Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the Technical University of Moldova are joining forces to build a joint center dedicated to bioengineering, artificial intelligence, and healthcare data. The new initiative, developed within TechPark, aims to create a center of excellence following a Western model (school-type concept), dedicated to medical engineering and advanced healthcare data processing.

“The decision to launch this project comes against the backdrop of remarkable growth in the local technology sector. The Republic of Moldova has recorded the highest start-up growth rate in Europe, while the MedTech segment ranks second within the national IT ecosystem. Investments will be directed both toward medical data analysis solutions and toward direct technological innovations, leveraging the potential of young researchers and entrepreneurs in the country. Medicine and medical tourism cannot exist without innovation and technology. The intellectual capital we have today at the Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy represents our most valuable asset – an investment that we can capitalize on to generate an economic impact of tens of millions of euros in the coming years,” Doina Nistor emphasized.

The project is focused on attracting new innovative initiatives, with firm financial support from institutional partners such as the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development. All those interested in developing products and companies in the fields of bioengineering and AI are invited to join the ecosystem and propose impactful projects, benefiting from modern infrastructure and available funding opportunities.

In the same context, Natalia Ciobanu, President of the Medical Tourism Association of the Republic of Moldova, highlighted the importance of strengthening an integrated medical ecosystem. “We want medical tourism to represent not merely economic growth, but sustainable development. The patient’s final decision is determined by the quality of medical care, which means continuous training, investment in new technologies, and close cooperation among the private sector, the state, and academia,” she concluded.

The event culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Medical Tourism Association and the International Organization for Migration.

The event was organized as part of “Moldova Business Week”, at the initiative of the Medical Tourism Association and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of the Republic of Moldova, on October 1, 2026.