Last week, VivArt-X co-hosted the first edition of Pink Innovation 2025, an initiative aimed at accelerating innovation in breast cancer care by connecting key stakeholders across the ecosystem.

Together with Sirius Medical, SamanTree Medical SA, and Microsure, VivArt-X brought surgeons, entrepreneurs, policymakers, patients, and funders together to explore how new technologies and collaborations can transform breast cancer awareness into real-world impact.

Throughout the day, participants shared insights on the future of breast cancer treatment and aftercare — from surgical innovation to regenerative solutions and patient empowerment. The discussions highlighted a central message: true progress requires collaboration across the penta-helix — clinicians, patients, entrepreneurs, funders, and policymakers. As Yvette Estourgie summarized, “It takes a village to raise an innovation.”

Speakers included Carmen van Vilsteren, Andrzej Piatkowski, Natacha Ruyssers, Marieke Breunesse, Iwan van Vijfeijken, Yvette Estourgie, Dan Jing Wu, Ozge Akbulut, and Maud Bessems, who each contributed their expertise and perspectives on driving faster and smarter innovation in breast cancer care.

The event was supported by innovation partners including BOM (Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij), Smart BioMaterials Consortium (SBMC), Stimulus Programmamanagement, Eindhoven University of Technology, and Borstkankervereniging Nederland.

Pink Innovation 2025 marks an important step in uniting the breast cancer ecosystem around one shared goal: building a stronger, more connected, and patient-centered future for breast cancer care.