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Development of medical devices and other systems for health sector
Published on 20 June 2018
Spain
País Vasco
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
IK4 is a private and independent alliance of R&D centers, a benchmark in the European R&D context that comprises 7 organizations in the Basque Country.
The IK4 Research Alliance sets out to generate, capture and transfer scientific and technological knowledge in order to contribute towards improving the competitiveness of companies and the progress of society.
One of the main industrial capabilities in Basque Country is related to advance manufacturing. There is a wide and historic tradition around manufacturing, being nowadays one of the most active European regions in automotive parts manufacturing, energy sector related products, tool machine producer and electronics goods supplier. Around these fields, many companies also design and manufacture a huge variety of industrial equipment.
Based on this knowledge, last decades some companies have oriented new activity lines to the medical device sector and to the development of specify technological equipment for the health sector (hospitals, etc.).
In this strategy, IK4 research centres have participated in many projects with these companies, transferring their knowledge and experience acquired in “traditional” sectors, to cope with the specific requirements of this new field. The result for IK4 is that today we have cumulated quite an important background that can support the growth of this industrial area, helping Basque Country companies to diversify their traditional portfolio.
The IK4 Research Alliance sets out to generate, capture and transfer scientific and technological knowledge in order to contribute towards improving the competitiveness of companies and the progress of society.
One of the main industrial capabilities in Basque Country is related to advance manufacturing. There is a wide and historic tradition around manufacturing, being nowadays one of the most active European regions in automotive parts manufacturing, energy sector related products, tool machine producer and electronics goods supplier. Around these fields, many companies also design and manufacture a huge variety of industrial equipment.
Based on this knowledge, last decades some companies have oriented new activity lines to the medical device sector and to the development of specify technological equipment for the health sector (hospitals, etc.).
In this strategy, IK4 research centres have participated in many projects with these companies, transferring their knowledge and experience acquired in “traditional” sectors, to cope with the specific requirements of this new field. The result for IK4 is that today we have cumulated quite an important background that can support the growth of this industrial area, helping Basque Country companies to diversify their traditional portfolio.
Resources needed
There in not a statistic about this, but we can estimate between 5 and 10 M€.
Evidence of success
At least 3 spin-of from IK4 research centres NTBCs (new technology-based companies) that have been launched:
- eMedica, htp://www.emedica.es/es/
- Irisbond, htp://www.irisbond.com/
- microLiquid, htp://www.microliquid.com/
Some representatve examples are:
-BEXEe Cardio
-iLine Microsystems
-microLIQUID
-AJL Ophthalmic
-Irisbond
-ALCAD
-eMedica
- eMedica, htp://www.emedica.es/es/
- Irisbond, htp://www.irisbond.com/
- microLiquid, htp://www.microliquid.com/
Some representatve examples are:
-BEXEe Cardio
-iLine Microsystems
-microLIQUID
-AJL Ophthalmic
-Irisbond
-ALCAD
-eMedica
Potential for learning or transfer
The IK4 Alliance was formed in 2005 in line with a federal model, whereby its members share strategies and combine capacities without giving up their sovereignty.
The IK4 Alliance GP is a very good example of how the synergy allows getting over to difficult economic environment. The Alliance helps to consolidation a network and become a reference point in the world. The synergy is relying on the scientific and technology cooperation which achieve the next level within the cutting-edge technology development.
IK4 model’s key aspects:
-Respect for diversity, enabling each centre to develop and organize itself according to its historical identity and its corporate objectives.
-Subsidiarity, which recognizes and promotes the initiative of each partner as a generator of wealth and progress.
-Equality among partners in terms of their rights and duties, and access to decision making, consistent with their participation in the results.
The IK4 Alliance GP is a very good example of how the synergy allows getting over to difficult economic environment. The Alliance helps to consolidation a network and become a reference point in the world. The synergy is relying on the scientific and technology cooperation which achieve the next level within the cutting-edge technology development.
IK4 model’s key aspects:
-Respect for diversity, enabling each centre to develop and organize itself according to its historical identity and its corporate objectives.
-Subsidiarity, which recognizes and promotes the initiative of each partner as a generator of wealth and progress.
-Equality among partners in terms of their rights and duties, and access to decision making, consistent with their participation in the results.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
IK4 Research Alliance
Spain
País Vasco
Contact
Project Manager