Interview with Guy Brandenbourger

Interview with Guy Brandenbourger, Government and Public sector Leader, Health Industries Leader at PwC Luxembourg

• Donor testimonials
• Donation

PwC Luxembourg recently made a generous donation to the LIH. In this short testimonial, Guy Brandenbourger, PwC Luxembourg Partner presents his expert vision for the healthcare and research sectors and explains his/their motivation for supporting the
LIH’s research activities.

According to your own experience, which specific areas of healthcare and research hold the greatest potential for patients and society as a whole?

G.B.: Based on my personal and professional experience, I would say digital health, without a doubt. We recently carried out a study that looked at the adoption of telemedicine throughout Europe. The results revealed that digital health solutions, such as tools for remote patient monitoring or for remote diagnosis of minor afflictions, could greatly improve our current healthcare systems. Indeed, a 20% increase in the integration of telemedicine and e-health applications in routine clinical practice could save the healthcare sector over 271,000 days of consultations and, more importantly, 210,000 deaths. Not to mention an estimated EUR 2.4 billion in savings and improved access to healthcare for more vulnerable individuals with, say, reduced mobility. The integration of digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in public health will enable large-scale translational studies on a wide range of chronic disorders, thereby enhancing disease prevention and diagnosis. For this reason, I am fascinated by the relevance and far-sightedness of the research conducted at the LIH, as it will contribute to realising these benefits for Luxembourg and European patients in general.

In this context, what are the major challenges that remain to be addressed in this respect?

G.B.: Despite the enormous potential benefits of digital health, there are still some crucial aspects that need to be further researched before this vision becomes the reality of clinical practice, and these pertain to data. Data originating from patients must be created, secured, stored and exchanged effectively, in order to make sure that it flows seamlessly between patients, doctors and researchers. The efficiency and efficacy of this flow certainly depends on technology, but also on overcoming the remaining hesitation and resistance from clinicians and patients. In this respect, pioneering projects such as Clinnova, involving the LIH and all other national and cross-border healthcare players, will be key.

What were your reasons for supporting the LIH through your generous donation?

G.B.: As a consultant whose work consists of assisting the public sector with the development and implementation of innovative healthcare policies, I see it almost as my professional duty to lead by example and support research institutions in their daily efforts to improve people’s health. The donation is therefore a small gesture to show PwC’s solidarity with the LIH and with all of the patients that will benefit from the institute’s hard work. On a more personal note, having experienced the loss of a loved one to breast cancer, I feel particularly touched by this topic, and I have already supported several associations, including one working with children in the paediatric department of a hospital in the Greater Region. Donating to research is therefore my way and the PwC way to contribute to the development of new, effective therapies against cancer and many other afflictions that negatively affect the lives of many every day.

PwC Luxembourg regularly supports LIH Research and we encourage people to take part in any research study including blood sample collection, led by the LIH, on Glioblastoma (GBM), which is the most common, aggressive, deadly, and treatmentresistant malignant form of brain cancer.

Together… lëtz make it happen!

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