Boosting innovation for future pandemics

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, an EU-funded team created a support platform for the development of diagnostics, prevention and surveillance technologies for new infectious diseases.

Health

The global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world in a way not seen for generations. Despite systems existing to monitor and prevent the spread of diseases, this new pandemic took the world by surprise. Smalls and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were hit particularly hard in countries around the world, as they struggled to survive in the face of lockdowns and widespread economic disruption. Many of these companies are those that could design and develop innovative solutions to mitigate or prevent future outbreaks, so supporting them is essential. The EU-funded INNO4COV-19 project created a new platform to provide expertise, funding and advice for companies and laboratories working on new technologies and solutions to tackle COVID-19. “The mission of INNO4COV-19 was to create a lab-to-fab platform and a collaboration resource where technology developers will find the tools to develop and validate innovative technologies—from idea assessment to market exploitation,” explains Marina Brito, business and strategic relations officer at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory and INNO4COV-19 project coordinator.

Spurring innovation to tackle COVID-19

The INNO4COV-19 project created an online support platform, the 'Innovation Hub'. The team split the project into four domains and sub-platforms: Innovative diagnostic and screening systems; environmental surveillance systems and data analytics; low-cost sensors, wearables, and telemedicine; and protective equipment, which were reflected in the Hub services. Each of these sub-platforms offer services and advice for SMEs, ranging from technical to regulatory and business development support from idea to market. INNO4COV-19 was also supported financially through cascade funding of 30 new products for combating COVID-19. “This timely introduction of solutions to solve some of the challenges we were facing during the worst times of the pandemic was a major focus of the consortia,” Brito says.

Bringing innovative solutions to market

INNO4COV-19 provided continuous and direct support to SMEs, especially on regulatory and business issues. Examples of the solutions include novel disinfection technology, antiviral textiles, and PCR tests for the workplace. From the 30 solutions, 10 % require future developments and technical validation, 13 % have already a demo validated in a real world environment, 57 % have been achieved or are in the process of regulatory and certification approval, and 20 % have been brought to market or are in the process of establishing the first contracts with clients. “INNO4COV-19 financially supported SME’s with cascade funding, but didn’t act as incubator, rather as chaperon,” says Brito.

Working to prevent and prepare for future pandemics

Beyond the wide range of successful solutions supported through INNO4COV-19, several other key outputs will help to prevent and mitigate future pandemics. These include guidelines and tools for EU funding actions with an 'Open Call' Toolkit that gathers documents useful for the right implementation of cascade funding; a White Paper on Regulatory issues to help avoid regulatory bottlenecks such as those experienced during the pandemic. The technologies supported by the project can also be adapted to other diseases and pandemics. “Finally, and most important,” says Brito, “the INNO4COV-19 platform will continue to be accessible through the website, managed by the project coordinator. We believe that the major outputs of the project can be very useful in action plans for future pandemics at different levels,” she says.