On Wednesday, 19 February, the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) hosted the III Ruti EyeLab, an inspiring event dedicated to innovation in ophthalmology. The event was organised by the Ophthalmology Department of Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital (HUGTiP) and IGTP, with the support of Societat Catalana d'Oftalmologia, as part of the Barcelona Health Innovation Week by Biocat. It featured various presentations and round table discussions with ophthalmologists and innovation experts, who shared their experiences and highlighted the importance of pioneering initiatives in eye health.

The event began with a welcome address by Dr Antoni Sabala, head of the Ophthalmology Department at HUGTiP, and Dr Jordi Loscos, head of the Glaucoma Section at the same department. This was followed by talks from the heads of innovation at HUGTiP and IGTP, Dr Daniel Moreno and Dr Raül Zurita, who emphasised the importance of encouraging healthcare professionals to transfer their knowledge in order to generate innovative solutions.

This year's Ruti EyeLab featured two round tables. The first, moderated by Dr Xavier Valldeperas, specialist surgeon in the Ophthalmology Department at HUGTiP, focused on innovation experiences in ophthalmology. Representing the Ophthalmology Department at HUGTiP, Dr Susana M. Ruiz, head of the Retina-Vitreous section, and Dr Pablo Díaz Aljaro presented the ARTIACAR project, a model public-private collaboration developing AI-based imaging biomarkers from retinal images to assess the likelihood of cardiovascular events. Other speakers who presented their projects included Dr Jaume Català, specialist surgeon at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Dr Irene Loscos, resident in the Ophthalmology Department at Hospital Sant Pau, and Dr Pere Romero, head of the Ophthalmology Department at Hospital Sant Joan de Reus.

The second round table, moderated by Raül Zurita, addressed the role of industry in fostering innovation. Speakers included Elisabeth Jori, co-founder and CEO of VIÚ 20/20, Eva Larra, director of regulatory affairs and new product development at AJL Ophthalmic, and Teresa del Río, regulatory affairs manager at Santen Pharmaceutical.

Following the panel discussions, Patrick Tresserras, co-founder and CEO of Innerva Pharmaceuticals, reiterated the importance of innovation in ophthalmology, and Dr Jordi Loscos closed the event with his final remarks.

Raül Zurita, head of Innovation and business development at IGTP, highly values the involvement of ophthalmologists from the Can Ruti Campus in events like this: "Spaces like Ruti EyeLab are essential for connecting professionals, sharing knowledge, and driving new initiatives that can have a real impact on clinical practice and, ultimately, on patients' quality of life".