Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos attended the contract signing ceremony for the construction of two research facilities at the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (IIBEAA), alongside IIBEAA President Loukas Papademos.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Development for Research and Innovation, Zoë Rapti, and Secretary General for Research and Innovation, Tasos Gaitanis.

The project involves the construction of Biosecurity Laboratory and Radiogenomics Units, with a total budget of €20 million, funded by the Recovery Fund and the European Investment Bank. It is part of a broader €370 million initiative to enhance research and innovation infrastructure across Greece.

Theodorikakos: Research & Innovation as Pillars of Growth

“Research and innovation are essential for the new productive model we are implementing with planning and determination. They create better-paying jobs, promote prosperity while reducing inequalities, and ensure sustainable and resilient development. These priorities take on even greater significance when applied to medical research, which impacts every human life,” stated Minister Theodorikakos.

He emphasized that the new facilities will serve as a catalyst for innovative research programs, contributing to a better understanding of diseases and the provision of personalized medical services. The operation of these new laboratory units will create new jobs, attract specialized personnel, support the education and development of young scientists, and strengthen Greece’s position in EU research.

Groundbreaking Biosecurity and Radiogenomics Facilities

Deputy Minister Zoë Rapti highlighted that the two unique Biosecurity Level 3+ and Radiogenomics laboratories in Greece, valued at over €10 million, will enable cutting-edge research, enhancing disease understanding and personalized medical care. With AI integration, these labs will provide advanced diagnostics for numerous patients.

“These projects reaffirm our government’s and the Prime Minister’s commitment to investing systematically in new technologies and infrastructures, fostering innovative applications that serve humanity,” she added.

IIBEAA President Loukas Papademos described the upcoming facilities:

• Biosecurity Level 3+ Unit: A six-story building with two underground levels (2,700 sqm total), fully equipped for safe and efficient research, diagnosis, and epidemiological surveillance of highly pathogenic organisms, benefiting public health.
• Radiogenomics Unit: An underground facility that will integrate computational approaches and AI algorithms for the functional analysis of genetic and imaging data. The aim is early diagnosis of complex diseases and the advancement of personalized medicine.

The project is expected to be completed by June 2026.

Strategic Importance for Greece’s Research Sector

Panagiotis Stamboulidis, Head of the Strategic Contracts Unit at the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (HCAP), emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating:

“This is a crucial project for the development of research and innovation in Greece, made possible through the collaboration between PPF and the Ministry of Development. Our unit is responsible for preparing projects worth nearly €66 million to modernize research centers nationwide. With speed, transparency, and determination, PPF contributes to projects that drive sustainable transformation, competitiveness, and the outward-looking nature of the Greek economy.”