On 3 and 4 November 2020, our partner EBN – European BIC Network held its annual congress, this year dedicated to “Regional Ecosystems Shaping European Innovation”, which gathered online more than 510 participants.
During the first day key note speakers and panelists focussed on regional ecosystems and the role intermediaries can play in boost innovation processes in and across territories. The second day “innovation mission-driven approaches” guided the conversations with key note speakers and panelists. On this second day, CHERRIES inspired and promoted a workshop dedicated to “Mission -driven Health Ecosystems. From abstract Responsible, Research and Innovation practices to concrete business action”.
Moderated by Moyses Moyseos Μωυσής Μωυσέως from CyRIC (Cyprus) the panel provided very interesting insights and reflections on how the sector is going through this transition phase caracterised by pressing societal challenges (aging society, COVID-19, increasing costs of the sector) which are somehow accelerating the transition towards more sustainable innovation approaches.
Lydia Montandon (Atos Spain), Magda Krakowiak (EIT Health) John Rigby (University of Manchester and CHERRIES Advisory Board Member) discussed challenges and opportunities of the digitalization of the sector, the need for new “rules of the game” (procurement should go beyond the technology itself and involve the processes that lead to those new technologies), the role different societal actors have in the health ecosystems and the consequent question on liability in such a changing system.
Complexity is definitely a keyword when speaking about innovation in the health sector, Responsible and Value Driven Innovation approaches can definitely help in managing such complexity and intermediaries such as EU|BICs can play a role in there.
Panelists then engaged in a networking session with Congress participants, where Covadonga Rayon from CEEI Murcia (Spain) also presented its experience and highlighted the importance of a cultural shift towards a more participated and inclusive healthcare system – where everybody is called to action, patients, practitioners, policy makers, entrepreneurs and intermediaries.