Košice, April 16, 2026 – On Thursday, April 16, 2026, the professional conference Sense4Health took place in Košice, confirming the city’s growing importance as a center of biomedical innovation in Slovakia. The event brought together leading experts from medicine, research, and information technology, offering a comprehensive view of the future of both human and veterinary medicine – from diagnostics and implants to the use of artificial intelligence.
Prominent figures from Slovak science and medicine spoke at the conference, including renowned infectious disease specialist Prof. Pavol Jarčuška. The importance of the event for the innovation ecosystem was further highlighted by the personal participation of leaders from Košice universities and the IT sector:
- Prof. Daniel Pella, Rector of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice
- Prof. Peter Mésároš, Rector of the Technical University of Košice
- Assoc. Prof. Jana Koščová, Vice-Rector of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice for Science, Research, Doctoral Studies, and Internationalization
- Ing. Ľubor Žatko, CEO of Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia
Discussions and presentations focused on strengthening collaboration between universities, research institutions, and technology companies, with a strong emphasis on the practical application of innovations in healthcare.
“I am very proud of all my colleagues who contributed to organizing this conference. It is proof that we at DT IT Solutions can significantly contribute to the future of Slovakia and that Košice is a source of talent for many projects. We are able to connect innovative technologies, implement them in practice, and at the same time leverage the strong academic community here in Eastern Slovakia – whether it is the Technical University of Košice, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, or the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy. I am very grateful to them for investing so much time, energy, and effort to continuously move us forward,” said Ing. Ľubor Žatko, CEO of DT IT Solutions.
Key Conference Topics
The program reflected current challenges and future developments in both human and veterinary medicine:
- Digital healthcare: Implementation of modern IT solutions into clinical practice
- Biomedicine and implants: Development of new materials and technological processes
- Innovations in care: New approaches to treatment and diagnostics in human and veterinary medicine
- Artificial intelligence and Sovereign Cloud: Secure processing of sensitive data and the growing role of AI in healthcare
“The Sense4Health conference can be considered very successful, especially in terms of connecting the scientific, research, and private sectors. It brings significant benefits to both human and veterinary medicine, particularly in addressing large chronic defects and their successful cosmetic and functional closure in clinical practice,” said Assoc. Prof. MVDr. Martin Kožár, PhD. (UVLF).
Key Innovations Presented
- Multisensors: A breakthrough integration of electrochemical sensors with a mobile application, enabling diagnostics within seconds directly at the patient’s bedside (Point-of-Care). It can identify antibiotic levels and disease markers such as SARS-CoV-2, insulin, or cholesterol at a fraction of the cost of current laboratory methods.
- Voice as a digital biomarker: Research has shown that artificial intelligence can diagnose serious neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or ALS from a short voice recording (3–5 seconds) with high accuracy. This non-invasive method opens the door to large-scale screening and patient monitoring using standard smartphones.
- Biodegradable implants: Materials based on magnesium, zinc, and iron were introduced, which dissolve in the body after fulfilling their function (e.g., bone healing). This could eliminate the need for painful reoperations to remove screws or plates.
- Open Sovereign Cloud (OSC): A concept of a European cloud infrastructure ensuring full control over healthcare data. The solution reduces dependency on specific vendors and provides a secure environment for deploying AI in healthcare.
- ARTERA application: An innovative tool combining art and artificial intelligence to support mental health in community and school environments.
- Space and technology: ESA BIC Slovakia presented opportunities for bringing Slovak medical innovations into European Space Agency programs.
- Biomaterials in veterinary medicine: Experts from the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice presented the latest biodegradable materials and their use in treating chronic wounds in animals.
Multisensor Driven by Application: Bridging Sensors and Digitalization (S2D App)
The S2D App project focuses on developing a portable diagnostic device using an electrochemical multisensor capable of simultaneously analyzing multiple biologically significant analytes such as glucose, insulin, cholesterol, ascorbic acid, or various antibiotics. Combined with an intelligent software application, the system enables fast and user-friendly interpretation of measured data directly for the user.
Key benefits include increased accessibility of diagnostics through Point-of-Care solutions, support for self-diagnostics, low cost, compact design, and potential for personalized medicine through continuous monitoring and early detection of health deviations.
“This conference showed us how extremely important it is to connect the academic, research, and private sectors. It also led to the introduction of a new scanning electrochemical microscope at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice today. This represents a unique technology, the first of its kind in Slovakia,” said RNDr. Ivana Šišoláková, PhD. (UPJŠ).
Launch of the Unique SECM Microscope
The highlight of the event was the official launch of a scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) at a specialized laboratory at UPJŠ – the first device of its kind in Slovakia.
This technology allows scientists to study chemical processes at the micrometer to nanometer level during electrochemical measurements. Unlike conventional microscopes that use light or electron beams, SECM uses an ultra-microelectrode (a very thin probe) that moves just above the sample surface, enabling real-time study of chemical reactions and charge transfer.
This provides new opportunities in:
- development of new materials
- corrosion research
- biocompatibility studies
- sensors and biosmart technologies
- real-time monitoring of chemical reactions
“Our main goal is to bring laboratory detection directly to patients’ homes. We want patients to avoid long waiting times and travel for testing. Our aim is to enable them to monitor their condition comfortably at home and then consult a specialist with the collected data,” explained RNDr. Jana Shepa, PhD. (UPJŠ), adding: “The microscope allows us to observe local electrochemistry directly on the material. It does not show an image, but rather the electrochemical reaction on the sample. When working with chips, we can determine their conductivity.”
Bridging Academia and Practice
The event clearly demonstrated that collaboration between universities and technology companies is essential. The conference also confirmed that Košice is emerging as an important hub for biomedical research and innovation in Central Europe.
“Our goal was to present Košice as a place where top academic research meets technological know-how and the innovation potential of industry,” said Ing. Milan Varga, Manager of the InnovLab Startup Center at DT IT Solutions Slovakia, on behalf of the organizing team.
Overview of Speakers and Topics
- Dr. h. c. Prof. MUDr. Pavol Jarčuška, PhD. – What can we do to ensure antibiotics remain effective in 20 years?
- RNDr. Ivana Šišoláková, PhD. – Electrochemical sensors as a tool of modern diagnostics
- Assoc. Prof. MVDr. Martin Kožár, PhD. – Biodegradable materials in the treatment of skin defects in small animals
- M.Eng. Ing. Marek Košuda, PhD. – Space technology innovations: The European Space Agency in Slovakia
- RNDr. Radka Gorejová, PhD. – Biodegradable biomaterials: from development to medical applications
- Mgr. art. Mária Kokoľusová – Innovative elements of art therapy in schools and communities using AI
- Ing. Róbert Demko – Trust from the ground up: Sovereign Cloud for modern healthcare
- Prof. Ing. Peter Drotár, PhD. – Can voice be the new blood? AI in disease detection from voice