LONDON, January 10, 2024 – NTT DATA, a world leader in technology services, has been appointed to lead the construction and design of "Advanced Technology for Health Intelligence and Action IT System (ATHINA)," for the European Health Agency (HaDEA) and the European Health Emergency Response Authority (HERA). The new platform aims to strengthen Europe's capacity to prevent, detect and respond rapidly to cross-border health emergencies, with a specific focus on the identification and prevention of pandemics.
ATHINA will be developed by a consortium of companies, led by NTT DATA and Netcompany-Intrasoft, and will benefit from more than 50,000 highly skilled employees, bringing the expertise of IQVIA. The whole strategic investment is more than 13 million euros and covers an initial period of three years.
As a high-tech intelligence system, ATHINA will leverage an unprecedented amount of public health and supply chain related data to provide accelerated information and action-oriented evidence on potential global health threats. As its most prominent functions, ATHINA will monitor, detect, analyse, and prioritise threats, identify available countermeasures, and provide response options, thus contributing to building a stronger European Health Union.
This EU-funded project represents a significant step towards effective preparedness and response to health emergencies, supporting HERA’s efforts to strengthen Europe’s ability to prevent, detect and respond rapidly to serious cross-border health threats. Moreover, it is a commitment that underscores the importance of effectively addressing global health threats and reaffirms the consortium’s position as a leader at the forefront of pandemic response.
Flann Horgan, VP Healthcare at NTT DATA UK&I commented: "The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the weaknesses in disease surveillance and response at both a regional and global level. NTT DATA is delighted to have been selected by the European Commission to lead the development of the new ATHINA platform, which will significantly improve the European Union’s ability to detect and respond to cross-border health threats, as they emerge.”
According to Esther Saavedra, EC Health Account Manager at NTT DATA: “Once again, technology gives us the opportunity to be better prepared to respond to important health challenges, such as a pandemic or any other CBRN risk. NTT DATA is therefore delighted to be able to lead this project, which we believe will undoubtedly contribute to the creation of a more robust and united European Health Union.”
Note to Editor: This project has been financed with European funds, within EU4Health, the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes. More information here.
