From September 10 to 12, 2026, the University of Szeged will host OneHealth Summit – Szeged, a three-day international forum dedicated to the future of the health industry. Organized by the University’s Center of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development, and Innovation (IKIKK), the event will bring nearly 100 speakers to the József Attila Study and Information Center in Szeged, Hungary, across six thematic sections covering drug development, medical devices, cosmetics, functional foods, data-driven healthcare, and the path from research to market.
For researchers, industry professionals, healthcare providers, and students who monitor developments in health innovation, the Summit offers a concentrated opportunity to exchange knowledge, establish partnerships, and examine the connections between human, animal, and environmental health. Explore the University of Szeged’s research and study programmes to understand how this institution has built one of Central Europe’s most active health innovation ecosystems.
Why the One Health Approach Matters for the Future of Healthcare
The premise behind the One Health approach is straightforward but far-reaching: human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected, and the most pressing health challenges of the coming decades cannot be solved within a single discipline. Antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic disease, food safety, and climate-related health risks all demand responses that cross the boundaries between medicine, veterinary science, environmental research, and industry.
“One of the defining ideas behind One Health is that human, animal, and environmental health cannot be treated in isolation,” explains Prof. Dr. Zoltán Kónya, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs and Innovation at the University of Szeged, Scientific Director of IKIKK, and Patron of the Conference. “The challenges of the future will demand equally connected, interdisciplinary responses.”
The University of Szeged has invested deliberately in this direction, building the research strength, innovation capacity, and infrastructure needed to move One Health thinking from concept to practice. OneHealth Summit – Szeged extends that effort by creating a forum where universities, companies, and public institutions can coordinate their work rather than operate in parallel.
A Three-Day Programme Built Around Real-World Impact
The organizers designed the Summit as more than a conventional conference. Its structure encourages participants to leave with professional connections that can develop into joint projects, research collaborations, and market-ready innovations. Here is what attendees can expect from each day.
Day One: International Perspectives and Policy Priorities
The opening day on Thursday, September 10, sets a high-level tone. Government officials responsible for innovation policy and healthcare will join the programme, reflecting the health sector’s growing strategic importance in Hungary and across Europe. Plenary sessions will also feature video messages from organizations that shape health policy and research at the European level, including the European Commission, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pasteur Network – which links 32 research institutes across 25 countries – and universities within EUGLOH, the European University Alliance for Global Health.
Through EUGLOH, the University of Szeged works with partner institutions to address global health challenges through joint research and international knowledge exchange. The opening day will examine how international expertise, research capacity, and university networks can be aligned in pursuit of shared health goals.
Day Two: Six Frontiers of Health Innovation
Friday, September 11, forms the technical core of the Summit, with six thematic sections led by representatives of major companies and the University of Szeged.
New Horizons in Drug Development: Innovation, Translation, and Sustainability. Experts from Gedeon Richter, EGIS, MSD Pharma Hungary, the Association of Hungarian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (MAGYOSZ), and the University of Szeged will discuss emerging opportunities in pharmaceutical innovation from both industry and academic viewpoints.
Medical Devices. This session follows the full journey of a device concept – from artificial intelligence applications and prototype development to clinical trials, regulatory compliance, and industry collaboration. Speakers from Gedeon Richter, Medtronic, MediKlaszter, and the University of Szeged will share first-hand experience of what it takes to convert an idea into a functional, approved product.
Future of Cosmetics. Science, product development, and consumer expectations converge in this section, where representatives of NAOS Hungary, L’Oréal Hungary, and the Hungarian Cosmetics and Home Care Association will address sustainability, regulation, testing methods, and emerging market trends.
Dietary Supplements and Functional Foods. Health and wellness take center stage here, with experts from BioTechUSA, Goodwill Pharma, Béres Pharmaceuticals, Grapoila, and the University of Szeged covering innovative active ingredients, manufacturing technologies, and the often-overlooked links between plant, animal, and soil health.
Data-Driven Healthcare. As health data becomes a strategic resource, this session will examine how it can be used securely, ethically, and responsibly. Topics include data protection, anonymization, health data assets, artificial intelligence, and the wider social implications of data-driven care.
From Research to Commercialization. The final section traces the path from scientific discovery to market impact, covering financing, spin-off formation, technology transfer, intellectual property protection, and market entry. Experts from GE HealthCare, Creative Accelerator, White Unicorn, and DANUBIA IP will join university specialists to address one of the sector’s persistent problems: bridging critical funding gaps in the innovation process.
Day Three: Sustainability, Safety, and the Society of Tomorrow
Saturday, September 12, widens the lens from individual technologies and projects to the systems that will shape the future of health. Discussions will address sustainability, safety, the relationship between healthcare and ecological systems, and the kind of society current decisions will create. The closing day asks a fundamental question: what kind of future do we want to build – and pass on to the generations that follow?
Turning Ideas into Partnerships
A central message of OneHealth Summit – Szeged is that promising ideas alone do not move the health industry forward. Meaningful innovation emerges when expertise crosses disciplinary and institutional boundaries and knowledge is converted into practical solutions.
“We designed OneHealth Summit – Szeged so that participants leave with more than new professional insights. We want them to build connections that can grow into joint projects, research collaborations, and ultimately new innovations,” says Prof. Dr. Ildikó Csóka, Director General for Strategy and Development at the University of Szeged, Operational Director of IKIKK, and Chair of the Conference. “Over these three days, our aim is to show that universities, industry, and experts from different fields can accomplish far more by working together than they ever could alone.”
To support this goal, the programme combines presentations and panel discussions with an exhibition and substantial time for face-to-face exchange. Attendees will be able to present their research, learn about the developments of other organizations, and identify concrete areas for collaboration – whether that means a new research direction, an industry partnership, or a route to market for an innovation.
Inside the University of Szeged’s Research Infrastructure
The conference exhibition will give visitors direct access to the University of Szeged’s extensive research and innovation facilities. These include the SZTE IKIKK Phase I Clinical Trial Site, the University of Szeged Biobank, the Cryo-Electron Microscopy Center, and the Environmental Safety Laboratory, alongside other platforms that support health industry research and development in Hungary.
The Health Zone: A Personalized Health Passport
A highlight of the exhibition is the Health Zone, where visitors can take part in a series of health assessments and screenings. After registering, participants receive a personalized Health Passport in which healthcare professionals record the results of each check. By the end of the visit, the passport provides a concise overview of key health indicators, including blood glucose, cholesterol, body weight, and blood pressure measurements, as well as vision and dermatological screenings. The Health Zone demonstrates in practical terms how monitoring personal health data supports prevention – a principle that also underpins much of the data-driven innovation discussed throughout the Summit.
Who Should Attend OneHealth Summit – Szeged?
The Summit is designed for anyone who wants to move beyond discussing the future of the health industry and take an active part in shaping it:
- Researchers and doctoral candidates seeking partners for interdisciplinary projects and insight into translational pathways.
- Industry representatives in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and nutrition who monitor market trends and look for collaboration opportunities.
- Healthcare professionals interested in how new technologies and data-driven approaches will change clinical practice.
- Policymakers and regulatory experts working at the intersection of innovation, safety, and public health.
- Students and prospective students considering a future in health sciences who want to see where research and industry meet.
Students who want to build a career in this environment can explore the University of Szeged’s international degree programmes, which span medicine, pharmacy, science, engineering, economics, and more within a truly international academic community.
Practical Steps to Get the Most from the Summit
Attending a three-day event with nearly 100 speakers requires preparation. These steps will help participants extract maximum value:
- Monitor the official programme as it develops and map the sessions against your own professional priorities well before September 10, 2026.
- Identify three to five target contacts – researchers, companies, or institutions – and plan how to start a conversation during networking breaks.
- Prepare focused questions for the thematic sections most relevant to your work; the panel formats reward specific, well-informed contributions.
- Visit the exhibition early to understand the University of Szeged’s core facilities, then return for deeper discussions with the staff operating them.
- Follow up within a week after the event to convert new contacts into concrete next steps, whether a joint proposal, a pilot project, or a scheduled meeting.
A Regional Center for One Health with Global Reach
Szeged has positioned itself as a regional center for One Health, supported by the University of Szeged’s research infrastructure, its membership in the EUGLOH alliance, and a broader ecosystem of interdisciplinary research initiatives. OneHealth Summit – Szeged consolidates these strengths into a single meeting point where the health industry, academia, and policy can align their efforts. For anyone who tracks health innovation in Hungary and Central Europe, this is a date worth adding to the calendar now.
Take Part in Shaping the Future of Health
Three days, six thematic sections, nearly 100 speakers, and one shared vision: OneHealth Summit – Szeged turns dialogue into opportunities for collaboration and action. At its heart lies a simple principle – understanding the connections between human, animal, and environmental health generates new solutions to the healthcare challenges of tomorrow.
Plan your participation now: monitor updates from the University of Szeged, register your interest early, and prepare the questions that could lead to your next collaboration. If you have attended comparable events or intend to join the Summit, share your experience and expectations in the comments below. For more context on studying and researching in Hungary, explore our related articles on health innovation and university programmes.
