Fostering medical imaging breakthroughs
Medical imaging has drastically improved capabilities for early diagnosis with less invasive, more effective care resulting in substantially improved patient outcomes. However, with so many different kinds of imaging and the cross-disciplinary interaction between nano-medicine, pharmacology, biotechnology and information technology, effective collaboration has been challenging. The EU-funded project AMI-4EUROPE applied a novel model for cooperative and effective regional development in advanced medical imaging with great success. The Triple Helix Model has become an increasingly relevant framework to address innovation and regional development based on the three pillars of university, industry and government. Their processes and mechanisms interact and co-evolve. For real progress, improved coordination and communication among the three is required. For example, the university must transition from teaching to research to entrepreneurship while industry works closely with academics and government policies favour technological development and commercialisation. With roots in the Triple Helix Model of cooperation, a Joint Action Plan was developed by AMI-4EUROPE combining scientific and non-scientific issues. It was formulated based on two analyses of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats across Europe. The Joint Action Plan delineates 13 activities and 40 actions, all with an associated business plan. Topics range from regional promotion of medical imaging to support of research through tools and databases to encourage cooperation among the three pillars. Some of these activities have already been implemented as witnessed by the 'Funding' and ' Tools and Technologies 'sections on the project website. Others will be implemented at a later stage by identified stakeholders and under the guidance of the Advanced Medical Imaging Advisory Council. Fostering trans-national cooperation among regional clusters and aligning the activities of research, industry and government should ensure that the potential of medical imaging is fully realised to benefit patients and the EU economy.
Keywords
Medical imaging, regional development, Triple Helix Model, Joint Action Plan
