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Table 1 A brief summary of conclusions drawn from the interviews carried on with academic and industry representatives. The initials are used instead of names

From: Forming effective relationships between academia and the medical devices industry with a focus on launching a smart heart valve prosthesis for pediatric patients

Conclusion

Feedback of:

Refer to paragraph

Obtain patent for the solution you are going to offer to industry partner. Without a patent, there will be no interest in the idea.

ZMHa

JTBa

RJKb

SJRb

3.1.1,

3.1.2,

3.2.1,

3.3.1

Work out the confidence about the solution you propose. Openly discuss obstacles and how to mitigate them.

SJRb

3.3.1.

Time is strictly regulated commodity for the industry. The ideas that can quickly develop into the product would be preferred.

SJRb

3.3.1.

Find out what features are critical for industry and focus on them while presenting an idea.

SJRb,

3.3.1.

Launching a new medical product is costly and risky but a strategic effort, thus the involvement of top management can be expected.

SJRb

ZNb

3.3.1

3.1.3

Aim high in attempting to gain contacts with industry. The “lords of the time” are the executive directors.

ARLa

2

Establish contacts by inviting industry representatives to provide lectures.

SJRb,

3.3.1.

Recruit the industry partner as a cofounder in the grant applications. This enables you to learn about the “real” problems, which the industry is currently facing.

ZMHa

3.1.1

Be ready to sacrifice the progress of your academic carrier. The industry partner will need your feedback, loyalty, and dedication.

ROKa

3.4

Tone down your enthusiasm - your conclusions are only the prelude to the complex process of launching a new medical device.

JTBa,

SJRb

3.1.2

3.3.1

Communication via Academic Technology Transfer Centers (ATTCs) is the most efficient way to announce a new solution to the industry partner. The efficiency of internet communication platforms launched by some corporation is disputable.

JTBa

SJRb

3.1.2

3.3.1

ATTCs are in charge of IP protection.

ROKa

3.4

Let ATTC support you in fulfilling academic duties while your efforts are needed on the project with the industry partner.

ROKa

3.4

ATTCs are essential to establishing and maintaining contact with the executive management in corporations.

RJKb, ROKa

3.3.1,

3,4

Promote your solution with research articles, conference presentation and networking (consider internet positioning).

JTBa,

ZMHa

RRb

3.1.2,

3.1.1,

3.3.2

Solution validated in the animal model could increase a chance to trigger the attention of the industry.

ARLa

4.

Build a multidisciplinary team of experts to cross-check and improve your ideas.

ZNb

3.1.3

Implement your solution locally to prove its feasibility.

ZNb

3.1.3

Confirm the commercial advantages of your solution.

ARLa

Background

Based on the conflict of interest section in publications, find and canvass the clinicians that actively collaborate with industry.

ARLa, ZMHa

JTBa,

4

3.1.1

3.1.2

Avoid the “Hegel’s-struggle for recognition”, the industry battles for income. The motivation of helping patients is a common ground.

RJKb,

3.3.1

Follow the regulations of and respect regulatory bodies. They protect the public.

ROKa

3.4

If rejected by the industry, apply your solution for highly customized, personalized health care.

GTb

3.1.4

  1. aacademia,bindustry representative