The Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) has implemented a new innovation model to reshape how biomedical research impacts society. This approach enables the identification and support of high-potential projects, facilitating knowledge transfer and maximizing the chances of success in commercialization and clinical application. These projects include newly developed drugs, diagnostic tools, medical devices, and digital health solutions. The model was presented today at an event held in VHIR’s Edifici Central as part of the BCN Health Innovation Week organized by Biocat.

In recent years, VHIR has established itself as a leader in innovation, with a high volume of projects showing strong market potential. To ensure their success, it is essential that researchers leading these projects receive support and guidance from the Innovation Unit, which serves as a bridge between the scientific community and the business and regulatory sectors.

The new innovation model, developed by VHIR based on other strategies, offers a structured process that prioritizes and accelerates the maturation of the most promising projects. “This is a more agile and efficient approach, based on the lean process, which provides each researcher and each project with the necessary support to overcome barriers, mature successfully, and maximize their impact”, explains Rafael Navajo, Director of Innovation and Business Development at VHIR. He adds that “this model is designed to become a reference in innovation management, knowledge transfer, and the creation of new opportunities”.

A three-phase model

The methodology is based on checkpoints that enable a continuous and structured evaluation of projects and ensure that objective maturity criteria are met before moving forward in the process. Intellectual property protection, market analysis, identification of regulatory barriers, financing needs, and team building are taken into account. This strategy facilitates the optimisation of resources and minimises risks: it applies the fail fast principle to detect and correct obstacles at an early stage.

The process is structured in three main phases:

1. In the Feasibility phase, an initial selection of projects is made based on their maturity and transfer potential, analysing aspects such as the protection of knowledge and the first validations of business and capacity to generate value.
2. Projects with a high transfer potential and with technical, economic, regulatory and market viability advance to the Development phase to define the most appropriate strategy.
3. If the project is determined to be ready to move towards the market, the process culminates in the Launch phase, where projects are prepared for commercialisation with the support of the Business Development Unit.

The model is based on specific and measurable objectives, such as asset protection, business analysis, regulatory requirements, among others. "Only if the maturity levels established in each phase are achieved, the project can move on to the next phase. This ensures that each project progresses systematically and maximises the probability of success", highlights Rafael Navajo.

A network of external advisors to promote the projects with the greatest social impact

VHIR's innovation process relies on the collaboration of an external advisory network, with experts in market, regulation, financing, asset protection, among others. These specialists provide strategic guidance and decision support to identify and address key issues that may be important for the success of the project.

In addition, they help to ensure that projects also meet the real needs and values of society and comply with ethical and sustainability principles, so that they are conducted in a way that is adapted to the context. "This joint effort increases the likelihood of success and ensures that the solutions developed have a significant impact on patients, healthcare systems and society in general", says Rafael Navajo.

Towards an Innovation Hub to strengthen public-private collaboration

With the aim of continuing to promote innovation in health sciences and in coincidence with the recent inauguration of the new research building, VHIR is working on the creation of an Innovation Hub. It will be a pioneering space dedicated to promoting the creation of public-private partnerships and new projects through the creation of companies and the attraction of new investors and biotech or pharmaceutical companies that establish collaborations with our research groups.

“With this initiative we aim to create a community focused on knowledge transfer and impact generation centred on patients and society”, stresses Rafael Navajo.

Innovation at VHIR: a boost to scientific and economic progress

With the commitment to improve people's quality of life, VHIR has developed an innovation ecosystem that combines the scientific excellence of the research groups with a focus on generating impact towards society. The initiatives carried out have boosted the scientific process and have also contributed to the economic growth of the sector.

VHIR has participated in multiple licence transfer agreements with industry and has collaborated in the creation of 23 spin-offs specialised in the design of new drugs, early and accurate diagnosis of diseases, the creation of medical devices to improve clinical procedures and the quality of life of patients, the development of digital health solutions, among others.

To achieve this, it is essential to promote different training and dissemination actions for the culture of innovation among research groups, as well as collaboration with international consortiums, private sector partners and public bodies.

For more information about VHIR’s innovation model, check this document.