Deloitte launches Health&BioTech Accelerator. The scale-up program dedicated to the future of health and biotech, born from the collaboration between the most important players in the ecosystem. The goal is to develop pilot projects, integrating the innovative solutions of startups and scaleups with the skills and assets provided by partners, to enhance the core business or launch new solutions on the market.
“The current historical situation has made it even more evident how much it is necessary to invest in innovation in the world of health and wellness by leveraging a conscious and strategic alliance between players in the same value chain, with a view to concretely collaborating for a common vision and a better future” – he declared Francesco Iervolino, Partner Officine Innovazione and LS&HC Innovation Leader.
The project has its center in Italy, but with an international reach. Applications are open from December 10, 2020 until February 21, 2021, in which a digital roadshow will accompany this phase and will allow the most deserving startups and scaleups to meet the Health&BioTech Accelerator team and evaluate whether the proposed solutions meet the needs of partner companies.
To participate, innovative solutions must follow the 8 identified trends: New drugs & Therapies (new drugs and therapies for still incurable diseases), Biomarkers & Diagnostic Tools (molecular markers able to predict or diagnose the onset of the disease. Carrier & Delivery System (how to convey drugs to the target through innovative biological systems) , Advanced & Digital Diagnostics (advanced medical devices), Innovative Care Management (for patient management and data sharing for better therapy), Telehealth (technologies that allow remote monitoring and assistance of the patient). Healthcare Robotisc (robotics to support patients and staff) and, finally, Healthy Lifestyle (nutrition and lifestyle for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases).
At the end of the applications, the most innovative solutions will be analyzed and selected also with regard to the skills of the companies, research centers and venture capitals taking part in the project. From April 2021, on the other hand, the most intense phase lasting 15 weeks will begin, in which the selected corporates, partners and startups/scaleups will work together in order to develop pilot projects that will be presented during the demo day, the final presentation to the public and to the business innovation community.
Alongside Deloitte, the corporate partners MSD Italia and Intesa Sanpaolo RBM Salute, the scientific healthcare partners GVM Care & Research, Humanitas Research Hospital, Santagostino and Casa di Cura La Madonnina, the scientific research partners Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), University degli Studi di Milano and IFOM – Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare, the investors and ecosystem partners Italian Angels for Growth, Digital Magics, Panakès Partners, SMAU, MakingLife, Notizie.it, Think and Digital Innovation Days, and the supporting partner Life Science District .
"Digitalization in Healthcare, moreover, can offer a great opportunity for the reunification of citizens' care pathways, promoting real integration between public and private, making access to care more efficient and optimizing resources, also providing support for sustainability of the National Health Service,” he said Marco Vecchietti, CEO and General Manager of Intesa Sanpaolo RBM Salute.
However, to achieve the goal, the role and support of all the players involved will be fundamental, each with their own specific expertise.