The TMF Parliamentary Evening: Impulses for the Future of Health Research in Germany

On December 17, 2024, the TMF – Technology and Methodology Platform for Networked Medical Research – invited representatives from politics, science, and industry to a Parliamentary Evening in Berlin. The aim of the event was to discuss the key challenges and perspectives of health research in Germany in the run-up to the upcoming federal election.

Translation and Transfer in Focus

A central topic of the evening was translation, the scientific-medical process that translates research findings from basic research into clinical practice. Prof. Dr. Helge Braun (CDU) emphasized the urgency of making this process more efficient:

Too many innovations fail in the 'Death Valley of Translation' before they reach clinical care. This not only jeopardizes scientific progress but also the healthcare sector in Germany.

The TMF, therefore, calls for targeted support for biomedical research throughout the entire translation process to successfully bring more innovations into practice.

In addition to translation, the transfer – the transfer of knowledge and technologies between research institutions and industry – was also a focus. Dr. Ralf Angermund, Director of External Innovation Partnering at Johnson & Johnson, emphasized:

Basic research in Germany is world-class. However, we too rarely succeed in translating it into practice. Stronger cooperation between science and industry, such as through spin-offs or better incentive systems, is crucial.

Leveraging the Potential of Digitalization

Another central topic was the role of digitalization in health research. Matthias Mieves (SPD) emphasized the importance of the electronic health record (ePA) and the Health Data Utilization Act:

What we have initiated in this legislative period must be continued. Registers need to be networked better, and health data must be used more efficiently to create larger and more usable datasets for research.

The targeted use of health data is a key to innovations that benefit both research and patients.

Shared Responsibility for Innovation

Prof. Dr. Rainer Röhrig, Chairman of the Board of the TMF, summarized the challenges:

We need to improve translation so that innovations reach clinical practice. For the transfer, we need the interaction with the industry.

The evening made it clear that dialogue between politics, science, and industry is crucial to sustainably strengthening health research in Germany. The TMF will continue to advocate for the promotion of innovative approaches and the facilitation of transfer into practice – for health research that directly benefits people.

A Look into the Future

The event emphasized that it is not a lack of brilliant minds but rather the absence of suitable framework conditions that hinder the translation of innovations into healthcare and the development of successful products. Looking ahead to the next legislative period, the focus must be on expanding collaborations, digital transformation, and the promotion of translation and transfer.

The TMF thanks all participants for the inspiring exchange and shared commitment to advancing health research in Germany.