SVEUCILISTE U ZAGREBU MEDICINSKI FAKULTET

Their core work

The University of Zagreb School of Medicine is Croatia's leading medical faculty, combining clinical research with translational medicine. They specialize in bone and cartilage regeneration therapies — notably developing a recombinant protein drug (Osteogrow) for spinal degenerative diseases through a Phase II clinical trial. They also contribute to pan-European health screening programs (liver fibrosis), personalised medicine infrastructure (EATRIS), and actively work to close the research and innovation gap between Central/Eastern Europe and Western EU member states.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), the School of Medicine focused on clinical research and lab-based work: bioengineered cartilage grafts (BIO-CHIP), pathogen assays (FAPIC), and neurodegenerative disease coordination (JPsustaiND). From 2018 onward, their focus shifted markedly toward health system reform, institutional capacity building, and reducing the R&I gap between EU-13 and EU-15 countries (Alliance4Life, A4L_ACTIONS, BFHA 2020). They have increasingly positioned themselves as a bridge institution — connecting Central and Eastern European health research to Western European infrastructure and policy frameworks.

Moving from purely clinical research toward a dual role: maintaining regenerative medicine expertise while becoming a regional hub for health research system reform in Central and Eastern Europe.

How they like to work

Primarily a consortium partner (8 of 10 projects), but has demonstrated coordinator capability in two health-focused projects (OSTEOproSPINE and BFHA 2020). With 112 unique partners across 27 countries, they operate as a broad networker rather than a hub with repeat collaborators. Their profile suggests an organization that is well-connected and trusted enough to be invited into diverse consortia, making them a reliable partner for projects needing a Croatian clinical or institutional partner.

Extensive European network spanning 112 unique partners across 27 countries, reflecting broad engagement across health research, translational medicine, and R&I policy consortia. Their geographic spread covers most of the EU, with particular strength in connecting EU-13 (Central and Eastern European) institutions to Western European research networks.

What sets them apart

They occupy a rare dual position: active clinical researchers running a Phase II drug trial (OSTEOproSPINE) while simultaneously leading institutional reform efforts for health R&I in Central and Eastern Europe. For consortium builders, this means they can contribute both as a clinical trial site with real patient access and as a gateway to the EU-13 research landscape. As Croatia's top medical faculty, they bring credibility and regulatory knowledge that is hard to find elsewhere in the region.

Highlights from their portfolio

• OSTEOproSPINE
  Their largest funded project (EUR 720K) and one of two they coordinated — a Phase II clinical trial for a bone regeneration drug targeting degenerative spinal disease, demonstrating advanced clinical trial capability.
• BIO-CHIP
  Their highest single funding allocation (EUR 967K) for bioengineered cartilage grafts, showing deep expertise in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
• A4L_ACTIONS
  Represents their growing role in EU health R&I policy — working to close the structural research gap between Central/Eastern and Western Europe through institutional reform.