BBMRI-ERIC and EMPAIA sign a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration in advancing AI-assisted clinical pathology

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Image-based diagnostics is one of the most promising medical fields for AI integration. Improved and accelerated processes can immediately benefit patients through earlier and more accurate diagnoses. With this shared goal, BBMRI-ERIC and EMPAIA International e.V. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to officially express their strong commitment to cooperate in this field.

EMPAIA is a non-profit association aiming to standardise the use of AI applications in clinical pathology. EMPAIA fosters collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders—including pathologists, patients, healthcare providers, technology companies, and policymakers—to ensure the development of integrative and user-centred solutions.

One of EMPAIA’s goals is to facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration to leverage diverse perspectives and expertise. This creates the ideal foundation for a fruitful collaboration with BBMRI-ERIC, as Peter Hufnagel, Head of the Board of Directors of EMPAIA, explains:

“We want to cooperate directly with BBMRI-ERIC because we see great potential here. There are several developments where we can go hand in hand—especially in the establishment of validation datasets, in the standardisation of processes, and the exchange of data between biobanks and pathology institutes.”

The potential for accelerated progress through strategic collaboration is also emphasised by Jens K. Habermann, Director General of BBMRI-ERIC:

“BBMRI-ERIC operates in the sensitive health data domain, with many of our biobanks integrated within hospitals. Accessing clinical data to make it available for research purposes is a strong asset, but also a challenging field. We believe AI can play a major role in enhancing this access. Our partnership with EMPAIA is therefore a perfect opportunity to join forces and ultimately benefit patients. I am convinced that together we will be stronger—and with EMPAIA, we have a very competent international partner on our side.”

Further reading:

Read more about EMPAIA’s vision to use Artificial Intelligence for the future of pathology.

Read more about BBMRI-ERIC’s strategic development in our Work Programme for 2025-2027 and our 10-Year Roadmap

About EMPAIA

Recent advancements in image-based diagnostics—driven by artificial intelligence (AI)—have been significant. EMPAIA International e.V. is committed to facilitating the routine use of validated and certified AI solutions by healthcare professionals. The promotion of AI usage includes the proactive removal of regulatory, legal, technical, and organisational barriers. EMPAIA International e.V. builds on the groundwork of the publicly funded EMPAIA project, initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. To sustain the project’s momentum beyond the funding period, an international association has been established. EMPAIA fosters collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders—including pathologists, patients, healthcare providers, technology companies, and policymakers—to ensure the development of integrative and user-centred solutions.