The EXIT CVD project (Evidence-Based Exit Strategies for the Cardiovascular Disease Continuum through Early Detection, Treatment, and Evaluation) has been officially launched. EXIT CVD is a public-private partnership supported by the European Union’s Innovative Health Initiative.
The project aims to transform how cardiovascular disease is detected, monitored, and treated by identifying and activating strategic “exit points” where disease progression can be halted or reversed.
“Our vision is a future where heart disease is no longer an irreversible pathway,” said Professor Pim van der Harst, Project Coordinator of EXIT-CVD and cardiologist at the 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.”
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Europe, often progressing silently from early risk factors to heart failure and premature mortality. EXIT CVD directly addresses this burden by developing precision diagnostics, digital monitoring tools, improved risk stratification methods, and targeted interventions that can disrupt the CVD continuum. The project will also embed implementation science and equity by design principles to ensure that solutions are scalable, sustainable, and accessible to all populations, including those historically underserved.
A digitally enabled, FAIR-compliant data platform aligned with the European Health Data Space (EHDS) will support the integration, evaluation, and real-world scalability of the project’s innovations. Clinical studies will focus on early detection (e.g. AI-enhanced wearables), intermediate stratification (e.g. photon counting CT guided interventions), and late-stage recovery (e.g. engineered heart muscle transplantation and minimally invasive cardiac surgery). By integrating cutting-edge diagnostics, digital tools, and advanced therapeutic approaches, EXIT CVD will deliver actionable, evidence-based strategies that can be implemented across diverse European healthcare systems. The five-year initiative has a total budget of €27.6 million, including €15.2 million from IHI and €12.4 million from industry partners.
Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Mark van Gastel, Project Industry Lead, Phillips, said: “We are pleased to contribute to the EXIT-CVD consortium, which we see as a catalyst for next-generation cardiovascular solutions, investing in a future where advanced diagnostics and intelligent interventions become seamlessly integrated into everyday care to support clinicians and empower patients.
The project consortium brings together 42 organisations from 17 countries, including:
• 16 academic institutions
• 10 small and medium-sized enterprises
• 11 (bio)pharma and medtech industry leaders
• 3 tech and data industry partners
• 2 non-profit organisations
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) will lead the project’s communication and dissemination activities. In this role, the ESC will coordinate strategic outreach, engage key stakeholders, and ensure that project findings reach clinicians, policymakers, patients, and the broader cardiovascular community. This leadership will support the translation of EXIT CVD innovations into real-world practice and maximise their impact across Europe.