How healthtech innovations arise during the COVID-19 crisis

NLC's Insights from COVID-19 Innovations

At the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe, NLC launched a platform for sharing pandemic-related innovations. Here are key insights gleaned from over 140 submissions:

Insight 1: Evolution of Innovation Focus

Initially, hospitals and universities focused on urgent needs like Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and ventilators. Over time, innovations shifted towards long-term solutions such as treatment options, testing, and AI-driven health monitoring tools.

Insight 2: Role of Universities and Companies

Universities led early innovation efforts, likely due to proximity to critical needs and resource flexibility. Companies followed with more proprietary, complex solutions as they adapted to ongoing market demands.

Insight 3: Breaking Barriers in Crisis

The crisis spurred unprecedented forms of innovation:

1. User-Driven Innovation: Solutions arose directly from urgent user needs, emphasizing practicality over technological advancement.
2. Non-Medical Companies’ Involvement: Companies outside healthcare adapted products and facilities to meet medical demands, e.g., mattress companies producing face masks.
3. Unlikely Partnerships: Competitors and diverse industries collaborated, exemplified by joint efforts in ventilator production and AI diagnostics.

Insight 4: Embrace of Low-Tech Solutions

Many innovations were low-tech, simplifying and repurposing existing products like snorkel masks for respirators and alcohol for sanitizers. This highlights the effectiveness of straightforward solutions in crisis response.

These insights underscore the agility and collaborative spirit seen in crisis-driven innovation, offering lessons applicable beyond healthcare.

About Jikke de Jong

Jikke de Jong oversees Technology Sourcing at NLC, leveraging her background in Life Sciences and Innovation Management to identify and nurture impactful technologies for venture development.