Driving Health Innovation Through Collaboration: TMF, vfa and BVMed Call for Improved Translation and Transfer
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In a joint position paper, TMF, the German Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (vfa), and the German Medical Technology Association (BVMed) are calling for concrete measures to strengthen Germany as a leading hub for health research and innovation.
The focus is on improving structures for translation and transfer – such as the establishment of translational centers at university hospitals, the development of secure digital data platforms, and new partnership models. The aim is to significantly accelerate the path from research to healthcare application. The paper builds on key objectives outlined in the current coalition agreement to strengthen the health economy.
The three core messages of the position paper:
1. Accelerating the transfer of knowledge from research to application
Germany has an excellent academic research landscape – yet many innovations get stuck in the so-called "Death Valley of Translation". The paper therefore calls for:
- Targeted development of translational centers in academic medicine
- Expansion of public-private partnerships
- Digital platforms enabling legally compliant data exchange
- Greater use of biobanks and registries
It also highlights the need for improved funding instruments, incentives for intellectual property protection, and a proactive startup culture.
2. Creating flexible career paths and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among researchers
To enhance collaboration between academia and industry, career paths must become more flexible and permeable. The paper recommends:
- Practical insights into industry through internships and research placements
- Institutional recognition of spin-offs and entrepreneurial engagement within academic careers
- Advisory services at universities for aspiring founders
Such measures would promote a culture shift toward application-oriented science and support entrepreneurial thinking within the research community.
3. Designing innovation-friendly regulatory frameworks
An innovation-friendly environment requires clear, practicable, and harmonized regulatory conditions. The three associations call for:
- Harmonization of data protection regulations in healthcare
- Consistent application of international data standards
- Introduction of regulatory sandboxes
- Assessment systems that better account for digital and data-driven innovations
Particularly for startups and small businesses, the principle should be "enablement rather than prevention" – also within a European regulatory context.
“To successfully translate basic research findings into market-ready healthcare products and services, we need frameworks that support innovation. Bureaucratic and regulatory obstacles must be actively addressed if we are to strengthen Germany as a hub for health research and the health economy,” emphasizes Natalie Gladkov, Head of Digital Medical Devices at BVMed.
“In order to bridge the gap between research and healthcare, we need more than just targeted funding programs – we need a new culture of collaboration. Innovation will only reach patients more quickly if research and industry work together in structured, trust-based partnerships, with openness and a shared will to overcome silos,” says Marcel Weigand, Head of Political Communications at TMF – Technology, Methods, and Infrastructure for Networked Medical Research, and initiator of the paper.
In order to bridge the gap between research and healthcare, we need more than just targeted funding programs – we need a new culture of collaboration.
“If Germany is to regain its position as a leading location for pharmaceutical innovation, we need appropriate incentives and new models of cooperation. Research and development must become more interconnected and be supported by reliable political frameworks,” emphasizes Dr. Matthias Meergans, Head of Research Policy at vfa – The Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies.
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Further Information
About the TMF e.V.
The TMF is the umbrella organization for networked medical research in Germany. It is the platform for interdisciplinary exchange as well as cross-project and cross-location cooperation in order to identify and solve the organizational, legal/ethical and technological problems of modern medical research. Solutions range from expert opinions, generic concepts, and IT applications to checklists, practical guides, training, and consultation services. The TMF makes these solutions available to the public free of charge.
