EXIT-CVD research consortium launches clinical studies to transform cardiovascular care across Europe
Key Highlights
- ➤EUR 27.6 million budget funds five-year EXIT-CVD cardiovascular research project
- ➤42 public and private partners across 17 countries join consortium
- ➤22 clinical studies will involve more than 14,000 patients across Europe
- ➤First patient enrollment begins this month in the initial clinical study
- ➤Philips (PHG) leads consortium with University Medical Center Groningen
Expert Statements
Pim van der Harst, Project Coordinator of EXIT-CVD and Head of Cardiology at University Medical Center Groningen
“Our vision is a future where heart disease is no longer an irreversible pathway”
Pim van der Harst, Project Coordinator of EXIT-CVD and Head of Cardiology at University Medical Center Groningen
“By understanding both the biological and social drivers of cardiovascular disease, and deploying integrated innovations across diagnostics, monitoring, and care, we can empower patients and clinicians to exit the disease continuum before it’s too late.”
Robin Nijveldt, Chief of Cardiology at UMC Utrecht
“For more than 30 years, we have viewed cardiovascular disease as a continuous journey, from risk factors such as hypertension, to atherosclerosis, a first cardiac event and ultimately, for many patients, heart failure”
Robin Nijveldt, Chief of Cardiology at UMC Utrecht
“Yet most of us improve care within our own specialty and rarely have a complete view of the patient’s experience. EXIT-CVD is an ambitious effort to build that holistic view together, helping transform cardiac care for millions of patients across Europe.”
Bert van Meurs, Chief Business Leader Diagnosis and Treatment, Image Guided Therapy at Royal Philips
“The EXIT-CVD project focuses on three critical stages of cardiovascular disease progression where technology can make the greatest impact: preventing disease before it develops, reversing its progression and improving care for people with advanced disease”
Bert van Meurs, Chief Business Leader Diagnosis and Treatment, Image Guided Therapy at Royal Philips
“Together with our consortium partners, we are exploring innovations ranging from contactless vital signs monitoring for early detection of patient deterioration to advanced spectral CT imaging that reveals tissue characteristics beyond anatomy. These technologies have the potential to give clinicians deeper insights and support earlier, more informed cardiac care.”
October 15, 2026 * Five-year research project unites 42 public and private partners across 17 countries to conduct 22 clinical studies involving 14,000+ patients; first patients will be enrolled this month * Project aims to help cardiac patients avoid deterioration through early, personalized interventions delivered across the cardiac care journey * Interventions will be co-created with patients and designed to systematically address socioeconomic, sex- and gender-related and digital access gaps * With a total budget of EUR 27.6 million, the project is co-funded by the European Union Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) and industry partners Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced the launch of the five-year EXIT-CVD research project, co-funded by the European Union Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) and the industry partners. The research consortium is led by University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and Philips, and aims to transform how cardiovascular disease is detected, monitored and treated. It will do so by identifying and acting on three key exit points along the cardiac care journey: preventing disease before it develops (early exit), reversing disease progression (mid exit), or halting progression in advanced stages (late exit). Patient enrollment for the first of the 22 clinical studies will begin this month.
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