Context & Audience
On October 30, 2025, the HealthCare Innovation cluster delegation, including Dr Haroun OUANES, MBA, Charfeddine Amri, and Ichraf Jarray, visited three innovative Euro-Med HealthTech hubs located in Strasbourg: IRCAD, InSimo, and Synovo Group. This mission was conducted in cooperation with BioValley France and Berytech, aimed at fostering strategic partnerships to strengthen HealthTech ties through cross-border collaboration.
Leaders including Manuel Pires-Neupert, Sandra Chalhoub, PhD, Jessica Hajjar, and Rayan Hicham Chaaban also contributed to the delegation’s activities.
Why This Matters
IRCAD, InSimo, and Synovo are pioneers in their respective fields: minimally invasive surgical training, advanced surgical simulators, and digital solutions for medical transport. Strategic cooperation with these organizations offers Tunisia and the broader Euro-Med region unique opportunities to advance medical education, simulation, and emergency care infrastructure—key pillars for healthcare innovation and system modernization.
Combining European expertise and North African healthcare needs will accelerate HealthTech development and mutual growth of connected, resilient digital health ecosystems.
Visit Highlights
- IRCAD: Globally recognized as a benchmark in minimally invasive surgery education and research. The delegation explored collaboration opportunities in surgical simulation and education with IRCAD leaders like Jacques Marescaux and Muriel Hasbun. IRCAD’s innovative robotic surgery training centers and virtual university platforms set the global standard and align well with Tunisia’s training ambitions.
- InSimo: A MedTech startup revolutionizing surgical training through highly immersive simulators covering ultrasound, robotic surgery, and cataract procedures. The delegation experienced InSimo’s technologies firsthand and discussed potential joint R&D projects with experts including Pierre-Jean Bensoussan, Francois Jourdes, Noémie Branstett-Jordy, Héloïse Guillot, and Brice Valentin. They emphasize real-world simulation to improve surgical skills and patient safety.
- Synovo Group: Specializes in digital solutions for medical transport management. Discussions centered on enhancing digital infrastructure for emergency and coordinated care, priorities for upgrading Tunisia’s healthcare delivery system. The Synovo team, including Mariya Savinova, highlighted their commitment to advancing telemedicine and emergency logistics.
Outcomes
The visit advanced mutual understanding among the partners, identified clear collaboration pathways, and reinforced the synergy between European and North African HealthTech ecosystems. This strengthens innovation capacity, supports clinical education modernization, and fosters sustainable cross-border projects to benefit patients and healthcare providers on both sides of the Mediterranean.
HCI Resources
- BioValley France Cooperation
- Berytech Cluster
- Startups & Innovation Support
- Cluster Collaboration Program
External Citations
FAQ
Q: What makes IRCAD a global leader in medical training?
A: IRCAD pioneered minimally invasive surgery education and robotic surgery training, creating robust virtual university platforms attracting a worldwide audience.
Q: How does InSimo’s simulation technology improve surgical education?
A: By providing ultra-realistic, modular surgical simulators covering multiple specialties, InSimo enhances practical skills and patient safety.
Q: Why is Synovo’s work important for Tunisia’s healthcare system?
A: Synovo develops critical digital infrastructure for emergency medical transport, contributing to coordinated care system improvements.
Q: How does this Euro-Med collaboration benefit HealthTech in Tunisia?
A: It connects Tunisia’s healthcare innovation ecosystem with European expertise, fostering R&D, training, and infrastructure development for stronger healthcare outcomes.
