Virtual Brain Twin Consortium Meeting: Advancing Innovation, Ethics and Clinical Impact

The project aims to build innovative digital brain twins to improve care for patients affected by schizophrenia, combining cutting-edge computational modelling, artificial intelligence, and clinical insights

Day 1 - A patient-centred ethical foundation 

The first day’s discussions focused on the design of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), clinical workflows, data management and communication strategies. Central to these discussions was a strong emphasis on ethics. A patient-centered approach is guiding the development of two ethical frameworks, covering the collection, storage and use of sensitive brain data.  

Day 2 - Bridging science, data and clinical workflows 

The second day focused on scientific and technical progress. The consortium discussed: 

• Data Processing, standardisation and FAIR principles (WP1): advancements on data processing, GDPR-ready data infrastructures, reproducible models and brain simulation knowledge graph. 

• Ethics (WP2): embedding patient perspectives. 

• Clinical workflows and multi-scale modelling (WPs 3–5): clear workflows are being built connecting molecules, microcircuits and whole-brain dynamics, including work on neurotransmitters. 

• Platform integration (WP6): providing VBT software solutions, including multiple digital tools for clinicians 

• Exploitation, Dissemination and Communication (WP7): updates on the stakeholder mapping, successful co-creation workshops and market watch activities. 

• Project management and ethics requirements (WP8-9): covering regulatory aspects related to GDPR, Intellectual Property and innovation strategies, ethics, particularly in relation to the EU AI Act.  

European collaboration and visibility 

The consortium was pleased to welcome Cristina Pădeanu, Project Advisor at the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), who contributed to the fruitful discussions on how the VBT project aligns with the European Commission’s priorities and encouraged cross-project collaboration. VBT is engaging with other EU digital twin initiatives to explore synergies with organ-specific projects.  

In the coming months, the project will be showcased at major events including the EBRAINS Summit - Transforming Brain Research and Medicine taking place from 8-11 December at The Egg in Brussels.  

Shaping the future of psychiatric care 

As one of the largest projects coordinated by EBRAINS, VBT represents a milestone in European digital health research, that has the potential to transform psychiatric care. The Brussels meeting closed with a shared commitment: to turn scientific ambition into tangible benefits for patients, clinicians and society, aiming to deliver new and more personalised treatments. 

Learn more about the project and the latest news on Virtual Brain Twin here.