Endocrine diseases represent a significant public health challenge across Europe, affecting millions yet remaining considerably underfunded and fragmented in terms of research landscape. The complexity inherent to hormone-related disorders demands a coordinated and comprehensive research strategy that transcends national borders and disciplinary silos. The EndoCompass initiative, a landmark project led by the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) in partnership with related societies, sets out precisely such a roadmap, aiming to unify efforts and focus funding and policy attention on key priorities within endocrine science. This ambitious project seeks not only to identify the current critical knowledge gaps but also to chart a collaborative future that will accelerate advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
The upcoming Joint Congress of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and ESE will preview the forthcoming EndoCompass Research Roadmap in two specialized sessions. The scientific symposium on May 11 will delve into innovative, cross-disciplinary themes such as the application of artificial intelligence in endocrine research, advancements in laboratory medicine, and the nurturing of early-career researchers. This session exemplifies the project’s dedication to harnessing cutting-edge technology alongside supportive infrastructure for the next generation of scientists, reflecting a future-oriented approach necessary to tackle the multifaceted challenges faced by the field.
On May 12, the spotlight will shift to a broader societal perspective during a Special Session emphasizing the critical role of endocrine science in public health and the urgent need to enhance financial investment. Keynote speaker Professor Manuel Heitor, Portugal’s former Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education, will address the imperative of scientific activism and the strategic vision required to strengthen European research ecosystems. His insights underscore that endocrine research is not merely a scientific endeavor but a vital component of health security, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience.
Professor Heitor’s involvement in the Independent Expert Group for the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe endowed him with unique vantage points on EU-level research and innovation policies. His perspective emphasizes the necessity of alignment—coordinating investments and policies across health, energy, and environmental sectors—to maximize the impact of scientific breakthroughs. Furthermore, he advocates for an accelerated trajectory in basic sciences and disruptive innovations, insisting that the “Choose Europe” initiative plays an essential role in retaining top scientific talent and fostering a vibrant, competitive research environment.
The forthcoming EndoCompass publication, scheduled for June 2025 as a special supplement to the European Journal of Endocrinology and Hormone Research in Paediatrics, represents the culmination of extensive collaborative efforts. Over two years, 228 experts spanning clinical, research, advocacy, and policy domains have contributed to this roadmap, ensuring it represents the collective expertise of Europe’s endocrine community. It encompasses insights from nine partner societies and the European Reference Network for Rare Endocrine Diseases, illustrating an unprecedented level of coordination and shared goals.
From a technical standpoint, the roadmap encapsulates eight distinct endocrine specialties alongside five thematic cross-cutting priorities. These include, for example, the intersection of pediatric and adult endocrine care, which is critical given the lifelong nature of many hormonal disorders and the current fragmentation in transitional care pathways. Another priority area addresses the environmental determinants of endocrine health, such as exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which have been shown to alter hormone homeostasis and contribute to an array of non-communicable diseases. By targeting both clinical and environmental aspects, the roadmap adopts a holistic approach to endocrine science.
The emphasis on early-career researcher support is also noteworthy, acknowledging the need to cultivate a thriving research workforce equipped to drive future innovations. Investing in the career development of young scientists—through mentorship, funding, and integration into large-scale collaborative networks—will ensure sustained momentum in the field. This strategic foresight bridges not only scientific gaps but also systemic barriers, fostering diversity and enhancing multidisciplinary collaboration.
Artificial intelligence’s integration into endocrine research introduces transformative potential by enabling sophisticated data analytics and predictive modeling. These tools can unravel complex hormonal regulation networks and identify novel biomarkers with unprecedented sensitivity and specificity. Similarly, advancements in laboratory medicine, including high-throughput assays and personalized diagnostic technologies, will refine disease classification and therapeutic targeting. The roadmap highlights these technological frontiers as pivotal axes for future investment and policy support.
Importantly, the EndoCompass project does not overlook the societal implications of endocrine disorders. As these diseases contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality, affecting quality of life and economic productivity, bridging the gap between research and public health policy becomes vital. Enhanced visibility and recognition of endocrine science are essential to securing adequate research budgets and integrating findings into evidence-based strategies for healthcare delivery and prevention.
The project also acknowledges the escalating burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) linked to endocrine function, such as diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and various endocrine tumors. The interdisciplinary nature of endocrine regulation aligns closely with metabolic, immunological, and oncological domains, necessitating collaborative frameworks that span traditional biomedical boundaries. By fostering alliances across disciplines and institutions, the roadmap seeks to galvanize systemic transformation in research paradigms.
With the imminent publication and subsequent implementation phases, EndoCompass aims to catalyze real-world change by translating its evidence-based recommendations into tangible policy decisions and funding programs. This ambition extends beyond academia, requiring engagement with governmental bodies, funding agencies, and patient organizations to ensure that hormone health receives elevated priority on the European research agenda.
Ultimately, EndoCompass epitomizes a unified scientific community’s proactive leadership, signaling how coordinated collaboration can surmount fragmentation and propel endocrine research into a new era. Its comprehensive and insightful vision presents an indispensable blueprint to accelerate discovery, improve patient outcomes, and reinforce Europe’s standing as a global leader in biomedical innovation.
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Subject of Research: Endocrine diseases and research coordination in Europe
Article Title: EndoCompass: A Pan-European Roadmap to Revolutionize Hormone Health Research
News Publication Date: May 2025 (forthcoming publication in June 2025)
Web References: https://www.ese-hormones.org/what-we-do/research/the-endocompass-project/
Image Credits: European Society of Endocrinology
Keywords: Research funding, Hormones, Endocrine disruptors, Glucocorticoids, Growth hormone, Parathyroid hormone, Estrogen, Insulin, Testosterone, Vasopressin, Steroid hormones, Science budgets, Science policy, Public policy, Environmental policy, Research management, Research priorities, Endocrine regulation, Endocrine system, Endocrine tumors
