NEED Symposium 2025
The NEED Symposium took place on 28 November 2025 in Brussels and brought together policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and patient representatives to discuss how to assess and address unmet health-related needs.
Session 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6PbY85JpNE&list=PLJri2RbVPcMpfyhAK7EjUxICDSeDjAvFz&index=1
- Welcome — Frank Vandenbroucke, Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health
- Why is it important to assess unmet health-related needs? — Irina Cleemput (KCE, NEED Coordinator)
- The NEED approach: balancing standardization and adaptation — Charline Maertens de Noordhout (KCE), Claudia Schoenborn (KCE), Caroline Obyn (KCE)
Session 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur_2xiTACRE&list=PLJri2RbVPcMpfyhAK7EjUxICDSeDjAvFz&index=2
- Assessing unmet needs in paediatric populations — Julie Paradis (KCE)
- Real life: unmet needs in patients with psychotic disorders — Zilke Claessens (KU Leuven)
Session 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o8pwJ44kjI&list=PLJri2RbVPcMpfyhAK7EjUxICDSeDjAvFz&index=3
- How to use and leverage the NEED database: demo — Robby De Pauw (Sciensano)
- Expanding the NEED database: value of existing data and AI — Rani Claerman (Sciensano)
- Public funding for pharmaceutical R&D and unmet needs — Valérie Paris (OECD)
Session 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqbndVfJeZY&list=PLJri2RbVPcMpfyhAK7EjUxICDSeDjAvFz&index=4
- Panel discussion with experts — Moredreck Chibi (WHO-Europe, public health innovation lead), Claudia Louati (European Patient Forum, head of policy), Marcus Guardian (International Horizon Scanning Initiative, general manager), Jorge Gonzalez (InnoBuyer, Ticbiomed, Director) — Moderator: Claudia Schoenborn (KCE)
- Closing remarks and next steps — Irina Cleemput (KCE, NEED Coordinator)
