New podcast episode: Prof. Walter Ricciardi on an urgent case for science

“We as scientists, we as professionals, we as leaders have to first of all realise how the situation is changing, a change of epoch, and how to manage. Because for the first time, the dams that shaped our security are trying to break.”

The latest episode of the BBMRI-ERIC podcast shares the keynote address delivered by Professor Walter Ricciardi at the BBMRI-ERIC 10th anniversary workshop.

The anniversary event was held at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the European Union, Brussels on 29 February 2024 and brought together key members of the biobanking community to explore BBMRI-ERIC’s impact as a research infrastructure over the last ten years and look to the future.

We were delighted, and privileged, that the 10th anniversary keynote was delivered by Prof. Walter Ricciardi who is the EU Cancer Mission Board Chair and Chair of the BBMRI-ERIC Scientific and Ethical Advisory Board.

Walter has been a key advisor for BBMRI-ERIC over a number of years and shares our strong vision on the importance of health and life science research for societal wellbeing. He also understands the vital role that biobanks play in this.

Prof. Ricciardi is full Professor of Hygiene and Director of the School of Hygiene and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) (Rome). He is Chair of Mission Board for Cancer (EC), Scientific Committee of Human Technopole Foundation, European Mission Board for vaccination.

In this talk, Professor Ricciardi presents an urgent case for science in an age when we are facing multiple pressures on our health that is intrinsically linked to the health of our planet.

You will hear him link to the EU Mission on Cancer and the vital role that policy makers play in supporting the work of research infrastructures, such as BBMRI-ERIC, to drive forward innovative approaches, standards and research into solving major health challenges.

The full transcript is available here.

BBMRI-ERIC Podcast

These episodes aim to give you insights from the congress that took place in Prague from 19-22 May 2026.

This episode, recorded on 21 May, introduces you to Aneta Tyszkiewicz who is Director, Science and Regulatory at the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). They represent the R&D-based pharmaceutical industry in Europe. Aneta leads EFPIA’s policy and advocacy on data, real-world evidence and emerging technologies, including biotechnologies.

Her work focuses on advancing the digital transformation of healthcare in Europe to enable the development of innovative, trusted solutions that deliver tangible benefits for patients.

Aneta’s keynote was titled ‘From scientific excellence to industrial leadership: Strengthening Europe’s attractiveness for research and innovation through the EU Biotech Act’. Listen to this interview to hear why the Act has the potential to unlock Europe’s biotechnology research potential, support new patient therapies and why it is relevant for the biobanking community.

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