IPN and the future of immersive health innovation

In an era where immersive technologies are reshaping how we interact with the world, virtual reality is no longer just the domain of gaming or entertainment. It’s entering the operating room, the rehabilitation clinic, and even the therapist’s office. One project making this future tangible is VR Health Champions, an initiative supported by EIT Health and co-led by IPN – Instituto Pedro Nunes. Designed to support SMEs working at the intersection of health and VR technologies, the project offers cascade funding opportunities and hands-on support to scale up next-gen solutions in mental health, rehabilitation, and beyond.

This month, we speak with Cristiana Costa, a representative from IPN, one of the key drivers behind this forward-looking initiative, to learn more about the project’s ambition, the role of cascade funding in EU innovation, and how IPN is helping build a healthier future—one immersive experience at a time.

Cristiana Costa         Project Coordinator

1. Let’s start with the bigger picture. What is the vision behind the VR Health Champions project, and why is it a timely initiative for European healthcare innovation?

The vision is to accelerate the adoption of XR technologies in healthcare by empowering SMEs to overcome market barriers and scale impactful solutions. It’s timely because digital transformation in health is no longer optional—XR is proving essential in areas like surgical planning, rehabilitation, and mental health, and Europe must ensure its innovators are globally competitive.

2. IPN plays a pivotal role in this project. Could you walk us through your institution’s specific contributions and how your team supports participating SMEs and start-ups?

Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN) is certified by ISO 13485 for the design and development of medical devices, with its large experience in the coordination of international projects, gathers the competencies and resources for hands-on technical and regulatory support to help SMEs bring their XR health solutions to market.

On the technical side, an example of our support on the design and development of XR medical devices is character and asset design using 3D modelling tools or 3D modelling engines, facilitating their integration into interactive systems. From a regulatory perspective, we guide companies through CE marking processes—including support to device classification, quality management system (QMS) implementation, technical documentation, and clinical study design and monitoring, as well as obtaining expert validation to anticipate the respective market receptiveness.. Our goal is to help SMEs navigate complex challenges and accelerate safe, effective innovation.

3. Cascade funding is a key part of the VR Health Champions model. For those less familiar, could you explain how this mechanism works and why it’s an effective way to accelerate innovation in health tech?

Cascade funding allows us to redistribute EU funds directly to SMEs through open calls. It’s a fast and flexible way to support innovation because it reduces bureaucracy and empowers local actors. In VR Health Champions, it means selected SMEs get both funding and targeted support to advance their XR health solutions and bring them to market faster.

4. From your perspective, how is VR currently being adopted in healthcare? Are there any particularly exciting applications or trends you’ve seen emerging among the SMEs engaged in this project?

We’re seeing growing adoption in clinical training, cognitive rehabilitation, and mental health therapies. What’s exciting is how SMEs are applying VR not just to simulate procedures but to personalise patient care, like immersive games for cognitive evaluation or customised VR headsets for surgery. The creativity and impact potential are enormous, especially when supported through initiatives like this.

5. How would you describe the added value of having multiple EIT Health members involved in the VR Health Champions initiative? And what role does this community play in shaping long-term impact and collaboration opportunities?

This project brings together a broad network of EIT Health members, and it’s essential to highlight the power of this community. By working together, we’re not only addressing real clinical and market challenges in healthcare XR but also creating a platform for long-term cooperation across countries and sectors. The biggest opportunities lie in leveraging each partner’s unique expertise to co-create impactful, scalable solutions. We believe this strong ecosystem can continue to join forces on future innovation initiatives and joint calls under the EIT Health umbrella.