BBMRI-Latvija and BBMRI-ERIC Representatives Participate in the Precision Medicine Forum to Advance National Network Development

On October 8, 2026, within the framework of the Precision Medicine Forum (PMNET), the BBMRI-Latvija network participated alongside Andrea Wutte, Head of Quality Management at BBMRI-ERIC (Austria). The joint activities aimed to strengthen cooperation between BBMRI-ERIC and the Latvian National Biobank Network (BBMRI-Latvija), refine quality management standards, and discuss regulatory frameworks and informed consent.

The forum and associated network sessions featured several key activities and discussions:

• Baltic Panel Session: "The Question of Biobanks – Legislation and Informed Consent"

  The session was opened by Andrea Wutte with a presentation titled “Beyond Quality Management in Biobanking”. This was followed by an expert panel discussion featuring Aiga Balode (Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia), Vita Rovīte (Senior Researcher, Group Leader, and Vice Dean for Research at the University of Latvia, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences), and Signe Vēliņa (Head of Research Infrastructure at the Children's Clinical University Hospital). The panel explored the intersections of policy, patient consent, and healthcare integration, concluding with an interactive Q&A session with the audience.

• BBMRI-Latvija Internal Meeting and Open Forum

  An exclusive session was held for network members where Andrea Wutte shared international expertise and best practices on organizing and scaling quality management systems within biobanks. The meeting brought together a broad circle of institutional representatives, including RAKUS, BIOR, LATAK, the Ministry of Health, NIRI, the University of Latvia (LU), and Riga Stradiņš University (RSU). This was followed by an open network discussion addressing current challenges, strategic directions, and upcoming milestones.

The insights and international expertise gained during these activities provide a vital contribution to strengthening Latvia's research infrastructure. Additionally, the Riga East Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS) has officially joined the BBMRI-Latvija network, marking another significant milestone toward full integration into the European research area and the implementation of the highest international standards.

The National Research and Innovation Institute is the coordinator of the BBMRI-Latvia national biobank network and implements Latvia’s national partnership plan within BBMRI-ERIC. This is one of the target indicators of Project No. 1.1.1.5/3/24/I/006, “Developing Latvia’s Research Potential by Strengthening the Integration of the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre into European Infrastructures and Scientific Networks”, co-funded by the European Union.