Opening up about health care innovation
With an ageing population, rising chronic disease prevalence and the current economic climate, the sustainability of European healthcare systems is under threat. In a bid to address these issues, new strategies that would inform Horizon 2020 health goals were developed as part of the ‘Open innovation for health: A strategy for 2020’ (INNOVAHEALTH) project. In 2012, the project organised a conference called 'Open Innovation for Health: A Strategy for 2020'. The aim was to create a forum to debate the role that open innovation could play in tackling the problems facing health research. A task force of key stakeholders created a strategy document, which formed the basis of the conference. It provided the framework and recommendations for the creation of an open innovation ecosystem for healthcare in Europe. During the three-day conference, the main pillars of the strategy document were presented and discussed, with inputs from policymakers and senior industry officials. A presentation for the European Parliament was also organised, leading to round table discussions. Project members expect that if the conference recommendations are implemented, Europe will be well placed to exploit scientific and technological advances in healthcare. Ultimately then, INNOVAHEALTH acted as a prototype platform to widen the discussion on open innovation in this important area.
