4th ONCODIR Plenary Meeting in Valencia: Advancing CRC Prevention through Collaboration and Innovation

The 4th Plenary Meeting of the ONCODIR project took place in Valencia, Spain, bringing together leading experts, project partners, and key stakeholders to align on strategies for data-driven colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention. Over three productive days, participants shared progress, addressed critical next steps, and deepened collaboration across disciplines.

Day 1: Strategic Alignment and Project Milestones
The meeting commenced with a warm welcome from our hosts at INCLIVA Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria. We extend our sincere thanks to Prof. Jose M. Martin-Moreno and Inés Elena Fernández Benet for their exceptional support in organizing this important event.

Discussions on the first day focused on:

• Reviewing project progress and outcomes from the recent Review Meeting
• Aligning on shared goals and refining the roadmap for upcoming phases
• Preparing pilot activities and testing protocols
• Exploring strategies for dissemination, exploitation, and stakeholder engagement
• Emphasizing the role of Lab Integration Tests (LIT 03) in ensuring pilot readiness and policy relevance

Day 2: Bridging Clinical Practice and Policy
The second day highlighted ONCODIR’s interdisciplinary approach, with two standout sessions:

Clinician Upskilling and AI Integration in CRC Prevention
Topics included:

• Train-the-Trainer frameworks
• Timeline and resource planning
• Validation of tools and clinical recommendations
• Integration of personalized dietary guidance into clinical workflows

Policy Makers Open Day
Decision-makers were invited to engage directly with ONCODIR tools and insights, fostering dialogue around:

• Translating data into actionable policy
• Showcasing policy-relevant outcomes
• Strengthening cross-sector cooperation

These sessions reinforced ONCODIR’s commitment to uniting research, clinical implementation, and policy development in a cohesive strategy for CRC prevention.

Day 3: Integration, Ethics, and User-Centered Design
The final day of the plenary featured a series of interactive workshops focused on:

• Technical implementation
• Ethical considerations and responsible innovation
• End-user feedback and co-design
• Sustainable exploitation pathways
• A key highlight was the Living Lab on Work Package 5 (WP5), which explored the integration of ONCODIR solutions from development through testing and adoption.

A Heartfelt Thank You
As we wrap up, we reflect on three days of rich discussions, knowledge sharing, and warm hospitality. We extend our sincere thanks to our hosts at INCLIVA and every partner who contributed to the success of the event.

Together, we continue to drive progress in personalized, data-informed cancer prevention—laying the foundation for a healthier future across Europe.

The meeting may be over, but the momentum continues — with concrete progress behind us and impactful work ahead!