DWIH Innovation Summit 2025

Amid growing geopolitical challenges, experts from Germany and California reaffirmed the necessity of maintaining international research partnerships, emphasizing that science diplomacy must remain a stable bridge between nations. The speakers underscored Germany’s strong commitment to global scientific collaboration, supported by its robust research infrastructure. Institutions such as Helmholtz, Max Planck, and the German Research Foundation (DFG) continue to drive international partnerships, fostering innovation across disciplines. Similarly, California’s leading research institutions and biotech industries—including UCSF, Stanford University, and UC Berkeley—position the state as a hub for medical and life sciences innovation.

The panelists emphasized that cross-border cooperation remains essential for scientific progress. They highlighted the need for resilient research networks that can adapt to changing global dynamics, ensuring that breakthroughs in public health, genetics, and biotechnology benefit society on an international scale.

A major theme of the summit was the transformative potential of medical genomics in healthcare, particularly through whole genome sequencing and precision medicine. However, these advancements are unequally distributed, with 80% of genomic data derived from individuals of European ancestry, limiting the effectiveness of genetic risk assessments for diverse populations. Researchers stressed the need for investment in diverse biobanks, population-specific genomic studies, and support for underrepresented scientists to ensure equitable access. Beyond racial and ethnic disparities, women remain underrepresented in clinical research, leading to gaps in understanding sex-specific treatment responses. Expanding inclusivity in pharmacogenomics and clinical trials is essential for broad healthcare benefits.

Moreover, there are the health challenges posed by rapid urbanization, with two-thirds of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050, primarily in Asia and Africa. This shift strains healthcare infrastructure, exacerbates disease burdens, and worsens environmental health risks. Urban populations face rising infectious and non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and shortages of medical professionals. Additionally, lifestyle changes have fueled obesity and mental health issues, yet access to care remains limited.

Addressing these complex health issues requires interdisciplinary collaboration. Urban planning, environmental policy, and healthcare systems must work together to create sustainable solutions that prioritize public health. The summit underscored the need for increased transnational research efforts to study urban health transformations and develop strategies that can be adapted to different regional contexts.

Participants expressed concerns about the instability of research funding, particularly in the U.S., where proposed cuts to NIH funding threaten to slow progress in key areas such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and pandemic preparedness. In Germany, while research funding remains stable, securing long-term, risk-tolerant funding for rare diseases, neglected tropical diseases, and public health initiatives remains a challenge.

The summit discussed how public and private sector collaboration could mitigate funding uncertainties. In an era where federal funding may fluctuate, subnational (state-level) governments, private philanthropy, and cross-border partnerships could play a more significant role in sustaining vital research programs. California, with its strong history of biotech innovation and venture capital investment, can serve as a model for leveraging private sector resources to support global health initiatives.

Session A: Data Exchange in Health: Opportunities and Challenges

A major obstacle to effective data exchange in health is the lack of standardization in data collection, storage, and sharing. Without common frameworks, interoperability between research institutions is limited, hampering reproducibility and slowing innovation. Additionally, concerns over data privacy and anonymization create legal and ethical barriers, while infrastructure constraints, such as insufficient storage and processing power, further complicate research efforts. To address these issues, governments and research institutions must work together to establish universal standards, invest in scalable infrastructure, and create clear policies that balance data accessibility with security.

Session B: Embracing Risk for Breakthrough Innovation in the Life Sciences

Global disparities in regulatory frameworks and cultural attitudes toward risk hinder international cooperation in high-reward scientific research. The absence of harmonized policies creates inefficiencies and stifles collaboration, particularly in cutting-edge fields like gene therapy and precision medicine. Moreover, Germany’s venture capital (VC) ecosystem remains underdeveloped compared to the U.S., limiting funding for early-stage innovation. Addressing these challenges requires fostering transatlantic regulatory alignment, expanding risk-friendly funding mechanisms, and reducing administrative burdens that slow down the commercialization of scientific breakthroughs.

Session C: From Treatment to Prevention: The Case for Precision in Public Health

Transitioning from treatment-based models to prevention-focused healthcare requires overcoming financial, political, and societal resistance. The costs of personalized medicine and precision public health solutions remain high, making widespread adoption difficult. Ethical concerns, including health equity and data privacy, also present challenges. Furthermore, successfully scaling prevention-focused healthcare models, such as the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), to broader populations requires sustainable infrastructure and international cooperation. Without appropriate policy interventions, the shift toward prevention will continue to face resistance from both healthcare systems and the public.

The DWIH Innovation Summit successfully brought key stakeholders together to discuss the future of global health through international collaboration. This report summarizing the discussions and recommendations will be shared with relevant government agencies, research institutions, and policy organizations in both Germany and the United States to continue these critical conversations and translate them into tangible actions.

We thank all experts who contributed to the conference.