In Uncertain Times, Innovation Lights the Way: Year-End Reflections

For many around the world, the holiday season is a time to pause, gather with loved ones, and reflect on the year behind us. As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself looking back on a year marked by profound uncertainty and change – yet also by remarkable resilience, healthcare innovation, and hope. In a world beset by geopolitical tensions, economic headwinds, and rapid technological shifts, one thing remained constant: our collective commitment to improving healthcare and the lives it touches.

As the CEO of Galen Growth – the global leader in actionable intelligence for the digital health market – I have a front-row seat to healthcare innovation worldwide. This perspective has convinced me that even amid turmoil, the spirit of innovation in health remains unshakeable. The challenges of 2025 have, in many cases, sparked new solutions that will benefit patients for years to come.

Geopolitical and Economic Crosswinds

This year, the world grappled with unpredictable forces beyond any single industry’s control. From the war in Ukraine to U.S.–China trade strains, 2025 reminded us that global stability cannot be taken for granted. These macro forces may feel distant, but they directly affect healthcare – influencing currency values, hospital supply chains, and investment flows.

Yet despite the turbulence, 2025 did not bring the downturn many feared. Instead, it became a year of cautious progress. Health systems tightened their belts, investors became more selective, and digital health funding cooled to a more sustainable pace, reflecting steadier, more disciplined growth.

The key takeaway is that healthcare innovation matters most when conditions are hardest. When traditional systems are strained, new ideas and technologies become lifelines. In 2025, digital tools enabled remote care, optimised resources, and helped caregivers do more with less. Investing in better healthcare solutions is not a luxury for good times; it is essential for navigating uncertain ones.

AI: From Hype to Impact

No reflection on 2025 would be complete without artificial intelligence in healthcare. This was the year AI moved from promise to practice – not just as a buzzword, but as a tangible part of care delivery and medical research. AI systems supported disease detection from imaging, triaged patient queries through conversational tools, and helped predict health risks earlier.

At the same time, 2025 reinforced the need for caution. Algorithms proved powerful but imperfect. Bias, data quality, and overconfidence in automated outputs highlighted the importance of clinical oversight. AI emerged as a double-edged tool: capable of accelerating insight, yet requiring strong governance.

Encouragingly, the sector responded. Healthcare leaders began demanding evidence over hype. The AI solutions that gained traction were those validated in real-world clinical settings. Regulators introduced clearer guardrails, reinforcing patient safety and ethical deployment. Rather than retreating from AI, the industry learned how to integrate it responsibly – with humans firmly in the loop. The foundation laid in 2025 positions AI to become a trusted clinical aide, augmenting expertise while preserving the human touch.

Honouring Healthcare’s Unsung Heroes

During the festive season, it’s essential to recognise those who don’t get to take a break: healthcare professionals. While many gather with family, doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians, and hospital staff remain on duty. Illness and injury do not pause for holidays, and year-end often brings additional demand – from seasonal flu to winter accidents.

Imagine a hospital without staff on a holiday – it’s unthinkable. I am continually humbled by the dedication of healthcare workers who sacrifice personal time to care for others. They are the unsung heroes of every season.

To all healthcare professionals: thank you. And to the families who support them when duty calls – thank you as well. These sacrifices remind us why digital health innovation matters: to give caregivers better tools, reduce burnout, and improve outcomes for patients everywhere.

Digital Health Growing Up

After years of bold promises, digital health in 2025 focused on delivery. The era of hype gave way to an evidence-driven phase. Funding stabilised at healthier levels, and the industry prioritised solutions that demonstrably work.

“Proof over promise” became the defining theme. Companies able to show measurable improvements in outcomes or efficiency stood out, while unvalidated ideas struggled. Investors increasingly backed ventures grounded in data and successful pilots – a shift that strengthens the entire ecosystem.

Collaboration between innovators and established healthcare providers also accelerated. Telehealth expanded access in underserved regions, and analytics helped detect outbreaks faster. Digital health is no longer peripheral; it is becoming core infrastructure. The progress made in 2025 provides a solid base for scalable, sustainable impact.

A Hopeful Close

As we close out 2025, I feel both hope and gratitude. Hope, because even in uncertain times, innovation and compassion continue to advance healthcare. Gratitude, because this progress reflects collective effort – from entrepreneurs and researchers to investors, health leaders, and frontline caregivers.

I am grateful to my team at Galen Growth and our partners, and especially to the clinicians who inspire our work every day. My wish this holiday season is that you find time to rest and reconnect. And for those catching up on analysis and insight, the Galen Growth research library remains available online and free to download.

On behalf of everyone at Galen Growth, I wish you a peaceful festive period and a healthy New Year. Here’s to a 2026 defined by innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to better healthcare for all.

— Julien de Salaberry, CEO of Galen Growth