On 28 and 29 January 2026, partners from across Europe gathered at the Philips Healthcare Academy in Best, the Netherlands, for the official SEISMIC Kick-off Meeting.
On 28 and 29 January 2026, partners from across Europe gathered at the Philips Healthcare Academy in Best, the Netherlands, for the official SEISMIC Kick-off Meeting. It marked the beginning of an exciting five-year journey in which clinicians, researchers, engineers, industry partners and patient representatives will work together to advance the future of minimally invasive brain treatment.
The two-day meeting was much more than an opportunity to review project plans. It was the first chance for consortium members to meet face-to-face, exchange ideas and build the relationships that will be key to the success of SEISMIC.
The programme opened with welcome addresses from the project coordination team, inspiring keynote presentations and an overview of the project's ambitions. Representatives from the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) also shared their expectations for the years ahead, highlighting the importance of collaboration and impact throughout the project.
Following the plenary sessions, each work package presented its objectives and plans for the coming year. During interactive breakout sessions, partners explored scientific priorities, discussed upcoming activities and identified opportunities for collaboration across disciplines. From stroke treatment and brain tumour surgery to intraoperative imaging, health technology assessment and communication, every work package contributed to shaping a shared roadmap for the years ahead.
Of course, no celebration is complete without cake. During the first coffee break, the consortium celebrated the official start of SEISMIC with a specially designed cake featuring the project logo—a small but memorable moment that reflected the enthusiasm surrounding the launch of the project.
Throughout both days, the communication team took the opportunity to get to know the people behind SEISMIC. Partners were interviewed about their organisations, their role within the consortium and what excites them most about being part of this ambitious initiative. These conversations will help showcase the diverse expertise within the consortium and will be featured on the SEISMIC website and communication channels in the coming months.
A highlight of the first afternoon was a series of demonstrations at Philips, where participants experienced innovative image-guided therapy technologies and gained insight into the company's research and development ecosystem. These demonstrations sparked valuable discussions on how existing technologies and future innovations can come together within SEISMIC to improve patient care.
The first day concluded with a relaxed dinner in Eindhoven, providing the perfect setting to continue conversations beyond the meeting rooms. Over excellent food and in an informal atmosphere, partners strengthened existing connections and forged new ones—an important ingredient for successful collaboration over the next five years.
On the second day, work package leaders shared the outcomes of their breakout sessions and presented concrete plans for the months ahead. Discussions also focused on communication and dissemination, data management, project governance and upcoming milestones, ensuring that the consortium starts with a clear and coordinated approach.
As the meeting came to a close, one thing was clear: SEISMIC is powered by an enthusiastic and highly multidisciplinary consortium, united by the shared ambition to make minimally invasive brain treatments safer, more precise and more accessible for patients across Europe.
The kick-off meeting laid a strong foundation for the years ahead, and we look forward to sharing the consortium's progress, milestones and stories as the SEISMIC journey continues.
