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Strengthening innovation in rehabilitation through digitalization, robotics, and smart medical technologies, with a focus on the needs of older people and structurally weak regions in Central Europe.

RehAllianCE is an Interreg Central Europe project that aims to improve the quality of life in Central Europe through the use of digitalization, robotics, and smart medical technology in rehabilitation, with a particular focus on older people and structurally weak regions.

Six partners from five countries are working together to strengthen the innovative capacity of SMEs in the medtech sector and improve their access to research, innovation, and markets.

  • Duration: May 1, 2023 – October 31, 2025 (30 months)
  • Total funding volume: EUR 1,578,032.80
  • Funding rate: 80% through the Interreg Central Europe

Role of BioRegio STERN in RehAllianCE

BioRegio STERN Management GmbH is actively involved in shaping RehAllianCE and is responsible for tasks in three key areas:

  • Regional pilot project
    In the STERN region, we are testing the sensor-based pelvic floor training device Apelvo with a focus on gender-specific application. Together with Fysor GmbH and USE-Ing. GmbH, we are organizing a focus group to gather information on user experiences, acceptance, and potential for improvement
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  • Content-related Project Work & Strategy
    Collection and analysis of successful best-practice examples from all partner regions, contribution to the development of the Smart-Rehab-INDEX, and analysis of structural barriers to innovation. The goal is to identify transferable models for the use of innovative rehabilitation technologies and to promote their implementation.
  • International Pilot Coordination & Sustainability
    Recruitment and support of SMEs for the transnational pilot study, standardization of evaluation methods, and knowledge transfer between regions. In addition, contribution to the establishment of the RehAllianCE Competence Centre to ensure that innovations remain available across Europe beyond the project’s duration.

Benefits for the BioRegion STERN

The project strengthens regional innovative capacity in digital healthcare, improves access to modern rehabilitation technologies, and opens up new market opportunities for SMEs in the European healthcare sector. At the same time, patients in the region benefit from better, more local, and individually tailored care.

Project partners

  • GAPR – Upper Silesian Accelerator for Commercial Enterprises Ltd. (PL, Lead Partner)
  • BioRegio STERN Management GmbH (DE)
  • Pannon Business Network Association – PBN (HU)
  • Carinthia University of Applied Sciences – CUAS (AT)
  • NSBPROJECT Venezia (IT)
  • ProMIS – Programma Mattone Internazionale Salute (IT)

Why this project matters

Demographic change, regional disparities in healthcare provision, and the rising demand for rehabilitation services are putting pressure on healthcare systems. RehAllianCE addresses:

  • Unequal access to rehabilitation services between urban and rural areas
  • Slow adoption of innovative technologies
  • Lack of systemic rehabilitation models

Achievements & progress

  • Best-Practice Catalogue created - collected successful technology-based rehabilitation solutions: RehAllianCE_Best-Practices-CATALOGUE-.pdf
  • Pilot phase launched with five regional Living Labs:
    • 🇵🇱 Poland: Robotics-based rehab & rehab vouchers to reduce long waiting times
    • 🇭🇺 Hungary: Combination of physical therapies for joint degeneration (65+)
    • 🇦🇹 Austria: Wearables & digital home-based rehabilitation for rural regions
    • 🇩🇪 Germany: Sensor-based pelvic floor training with gender-sensitive adaptation
    • 🇮🇹 Italy: Neurorehabilitation with robotics, VR/AR & telerehabilitation
  • Transnational pilot study with eight innovative SMEs for market validation and user testing:

With ACTIMI, a company from the BioRegion STERN is represented. Its platform connects wearables, medical devices, and health records to enable data-driven rehabilitation models.

Planned activities & outlook

  • Smart-Rehab-INDEX: Benchmark tool to assess the quality and innovation capacity of regional rehab systems.
  • RehAllianCE Competence Centre: Virtual platform offering:
    • Knowledge database with best practices, studies, manuals, and tutorials
    • Catalogue of validated technologies
    • E-learning and networking opportunities
  • Evaluation of pilot projects and derivation of transferable models for internationalization and commercialization of rehabilitation technologies.
  • Development of policy recommendations to improve long-term access to innovative rehabilitation technologies.
  • Establishing sustainable cooperation to ensure continued availability and scaling of innovations across Europe beyond the project’s lifetime.

 

RehAllianCE develops technology-supported rehabilitation solutions with direct benefits for the following application fields:

Application fields

  • Home-based and telerehabilitation applications
  • Prevention and training support for older adults
  • Clinical and outpatient rehabilitation

User groups

  • People with mobility impairments or rehabilitation needs
  • Healthcare and therapy professionals
  • Companies & start-ups in the rehabilitation and MedTech sector
  • Policymakers in health and innovation

Impact scope

  • Pilot projects in 5 Central European regions
  • Transnational knowledge transfer via the RehAllianCE Competence Centre
  • Scalability and replication across Europe
  • RehAllianCE connects innovation with practical application, driving stronger, digital rehabilitation services across Europe.

Further information

Factsheet Rehalliance.PNG

 

Innovating the rehabilitation care system

Factsheet RehAllianCE

News

Teaser Rehalliance NL#1.PNG
RehAllianCE Newsletter #1
RehAllianCE Newsletter #1
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RehAllianCE Newsletter #2
RehAllianCE Newsletter #2

News

07/02/2024

Faster use of new technologies in rehabilitation

(Stuttgart) – BioRegio STERN Management GmbH is the German partner in the new RehAllianCE project that is being funded by the European Union under the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE programme. The project focuses on the use of new technologies in rehabilitation, with the aim of bringing about extensive imp...

Contact person

Dr. Klara Altintoprak

Project Management
+49-172 591 129 9
Project Management
Dr. Klara Altintoprak

“Throughout my time as a doctoral student and post-doctoral researcher, it was always the interface between basic and applied research in the field of conventional biotechnology and molecular biology that fascinated me most. For instance, my doctoral work dealt with plant viruses that were integrated into hybrid materials as innovative self-assembling nanodevices. For the project planning and implementation of this, I worked in an interdisciplinary team of chemists and physicists. My post-doctorate work also focussed on cooperation with various regional and international partners. In addition, I continued training in the GMP-regulated environment, which means I have an excellent grasp of the standard guidelines and tools involved in quality and project management. I started working at BioRegio STERN Management GmbH as a project manager in October 2018, where I assist the team in implementing EU development projects. What I find particularly interesting in this context is the EU-wide networking of SMEs from the life sciences sector and the development of new technologies.”

Olivia Magosch, M. Sc.

Project Management
+49-173 857 577 1
Project Management
Olivia Magosch, M. Sc.

I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biotechnology at the University of Hohenheim. In my thesis work at the Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, I focused on microbial biosurfactant production. My research included investigating the biosurfactant production in shake flasks using lignocellulose, a sustainable carbon source, as well as exploring molecular process control strategies in a 20L bioreactor.
After that, I worked for three years as a Process Engineer in process development for plasmid production at CureVac in Tübingen. During this time, I actively contributed to the development of microbial cell banks and the clone selection process for a production clone.
Since February 2025, I have been working as a Project Manager at BioRegio STERN Management GmbH, supporting the team in the implementation of EU-funded projects. I am particularly excited to accompany and shape the development of innovative and forward-thinking technologies, especially in an international context.

Dr. Margot Jehle

Project Management
+49-173 180 892 4
Project Management
Dr. Margot Jehle

"I studied classical chemistry, completed additional internships at the Institute of Biochemistry in Würzburg and was thus able to complete my diploma and PhD thesis in this field of chemistry. Based on my experiences that I could gather as a researcher at immatics biotechnologies GmbH in Germany and abroad, I can easily identify suitable partners from companies or institutions in an international context in order to initiate potential collaborations. Since 2011, I have been involved in various EU projects at BioRegio STERN Management GmbH and am now responsible as a project manager for the Interreg NWE project Boost4Health, launched in April 2016, to support and promote the economic development of regional and transnational SMEs. Through my numerous contacts with other European networks, I am also the initiator and contact for further diverse cooperation in neighboring European countries."

Lara Tank

Marketing Management
+49-159 044 252 72
Marketing Management
Lara Tank

"I completed my degree in Marketing and Media Management with a focus on Product and Customer Management at Heilbronn University. During my studies, I gained experience in the field of e-commerce, specifically working in digital marketing, content management, and campaign planning. I also carried out my own practical projects in the area of trade fairs and events in connection with my bachelor's thesis. Since November 2022, I have been responsible for marketing management at BioRegio STERN. In addition to the operational oversight and further development of our digital channels (website, newsletter, LinkedIn), I am in charge of strategic marketing planning. I am also involved in the organization and implementation of our events and support our press and media relations. Furthermore, I contribute to various projects in the field of communication."