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In the modern pharmaceutical industry, where the rapid development of new drugs and services necessitates unparalleled levels of efficiency, efficacy, and speed, the significance of open innovation is elevated. Open innovation is a crucial strategic paradigm that promotes collaboration and overcomes traditional barriers associated with research and development (R&D) in this context.
Examining historical perspectives, conventional innovation paradigms operated within the confines of individual organisations, generating and developing ideas internally and applying them to products and services to safeguard against competitive appropriation and maintain hierarchical control. Nonetheless, However, this approach had one obvious constraint: it ignored the potential of external ideas to enrich and improve organisations, which came at a considerable cost [1].
Open innovation, as a response to this challenge, acknowledges the prospect that valuable ideas may originate from external sources. Three fundamental elements support this evolution: the globalisation of markets, the distribution of knowledge, and the emergence of collaboration as an effective working model. Overall, it is critical to acknowledge that innovation cannot thrive independently; this emphasises the importance of adopting an inclusive and collaborative mindset to drive progress and foster organisational growth.
This strategic approach empowers pharmaceutical companies to establish collaborative models and shared knowledge with external entities, ranging from academic institutions to biotechnological enterprises, thereby driving innovation and expediting the development of therapeutic solutions for unmet medical needs. By adopting such a strategy, the potential for success in the development of novel services, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals is increased, and access to cutting-edge technologies and methodologies is facilitated. Indeed, an analysis of recent drug introductions by major pharmaceutical companies reveals that only a fraction originates from internal R&D efforts, with an increasing percentage derived from licensing or direct acquisition of pioneering biotechnology companies [2].
One of the primary advantages of open innovation is the opportunity to collaborate with organisations that specialise in disruptive technologies. This collaboration promotes the integration of innovative ideas into the research and development process, which in turn stimulates significant improvements in the early detection, treatment, and monitoring of diseases. Embracing an open innovation model also entails addressing and surmounting the complexity of modern diseases, necessitating a more holistic and multidisciplinary approach. By integrating external knowledge and resources, the encouragement of a diversification of ideas and approaches becomes vital for the discovery and development of drugs and services. This collaborative process not only reduces the time and cost associated with product development but also enhances the effectiveness of therapeutic solutions, ensuring prompt accessibility for patients in need.
Lastly, it is imperative to acknowledge that adopting an open innovation approach challenges requires careful management of the associated challenges, particularly with regard to corporate culture change and the safeguarding of intellectual property. The establishment of clear and effective collaboration frameworks that respect the interests of all parties is essential, fostering an environment of trust and reciprocity. This entails the development of strategies that facilitate knowledge and resource exchange while ensuring that resulting innovations are accessible and beneficial to the widest possible patient population.
In the current landscape of pharmaceutical development, open innovation is a prevalent approach. Furthermore, its implementation has been extended to encompass medical devices and other sectors within the healthcare industry. Collaborative efforts, for instance, have resulted in the development of a device to treat severe chronic sinusitis, refined through academic collaboration and validated in large-scale clinical studies [3]. Moreover, electronic health records could undergo optimization through open innovation, identifying deficiencies and proposing solutions in participatory workshops. To bolster infrastructure in digital health, the sharing of metadata frameworks and key open-source catalogues could promote interdisciplinary collaborations and deployments.
Considering the emerging fields of telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and wearable technologies, as well as the groundbreaking nature of information technologies in open innovation, it is highly likely that open innovation strategies will be increasingly implemented in the future in domains such as digital therapeutics and digital health technologies [4].
In essence, open innovation not only represents a growth and development strategy but also a commitment to enhancing global health, demonstrating how collaboration and shared knowledge can lead to significant advances in healthcare.
Referencias:
[1] Máñez Ortiz, M. A., Montero Delgado, J. A. Innovación abierta en salud. 2012;105(2-3):165-75. 59. Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria. https://manual-innovacion.sefh.es/sfiles/pdf/Manual-SEFH-cap-7.pdf
[2] Sánchez, A. G., Santamaría, J. M., Gómez-García, L., Brea, J., & Loza., M. I. (s/f). La innovación abierta: un desafío y una gran oportunidad para el descubrimiento de fármacos en España. Socesfar.es. Recuperado el 2 de febrero de 2024, de https://www.socesfar.es/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/07-ARTICULO-DE-OPINION-LA-INNOVACION-ABIERTA-UN-DESAFIO-Y-UNA-GRAN-OPORTUNIDAD-PARA-EL-DESCUBRIMIENTO-DE-FARMACOS-EN-ESPANA.pdf
[3] Wan, H.-H., and Quan, X. I. (2014). Toward a framework of the process of open innovation—Case of acclarent in the medical device Industry. Int. J. Innovat. Technol. Manag. 11, 1450032. doi:10.7324/japs.2019.90515
[4] Yeung AWK, Atanasov AG, Sheridan H, Klager E, Eibensteiner F, Völkl-Kernsock S, Kletecka-Pulker M, Willschke H, Schaden E. Open Innovation in Medical and Pharmaceutical Research: A Literature Landscape Analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Jan 14;11:587526. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.587526. PMID: 33519448; PMCID: PMC7840485.
NP-ES-AOU-WCNT-240004 (v1) 02/2024
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NP-ES-AOU-WCNT-240001 (v1) 02/2024