E-learning courses on commercialising research in the health sector
Three new e-learning courses designed to teach health researchers how to commercialise their findings have been developed through the EU-funded HEALTH-2-MARKET project. The courses, which are free of charge, focus on three key issues: entrepreneurship and business planning; business ventures and marketing; and intellectual property and ethics. The premise of each course is that science is not just for labs and libraries, but should be commercially exploited for the benefit of industry and the general public. Indeed, a key aspect of Horizon 2020, the EU's new research and innovation programme, is very much about taking discoveries and breakthroughs from the lab and into the market place. Each e-training tool offers an interactive learning environment for researchers in the health and life science field, and has been created by professionals at some of the top European Business Schools: SKEMA business school in France, IE Business School in Spain and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Modules consist of interactive online elements and techniques such as short presentations, videos, quizzes and case studies. The Entrepreneurship and Business Planning course was designed at SKEMA Business School. Transforming opportunities into entrepreneurial ventures requires that individuals not only possess knowledge, but that they also have the cognitive abilities that enable them to value and exploit that knowledge. This particular course aims to take participants through the process of developing an entrepreneurial venture, from the initial idea to finding the first clients. Central to this process is the fine-tuning of a business plan, and understanding how this business plan can help manage key activities and attract outside investors. After this course, participants should be able to analyse the market potential of innovations, understand the skills required to launch a new venture, relate the importance of innovation in business models to creating value for the client and develop and formulate a business plan. The Business Ventures and Marketing module was created by IE University, and aims to help participants spot market needs and analyse them in depth. Participants will learn how to read the market and how to establish business operations in a complex environment comprised of customers, competitors, collaborators and other influences. After the course, participants should be able to identify existing or latent customer needs, understand their role and value in the creation of entrepreneurial ventures and develop a disciplined approach to the analysis of business problems. The third course, on Intellectual Property & Ethics, was developed by the University of Gothenburg. This course aims to convey the importance of IPR from both an ethical and practical standpoint, especially as they apply to health sciences. Particular attention will be given to analysing the norms and laws that govern the utilization of academic research in entrepreneurial ventures. After the course, participants should be able to identify, capture and assess intellectual assets in research projects, understand the various ways to utilise research and evaluate potential options of value creation from research projects. HEALTH-2-MARKETis a coordinating action funded by the European Commission. It aims to develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge in the health and life science sector, to support the market exploitation of their research results. The project covers all EU Member States and Associated Countries, through its broad partnership as well as through a network of regional experts.For more information, please visit: HEALTH-2-MARKET http://elearning.health2market.eu/ Project factsheet
Countries
Germany