Murcia, a highly innovative regional ecosystem

The demand-driven innovation model, developed through co-creation, has been implemented and has repeatedly proven its effectiveness and benefits. 

When an organisation identifies a need for which no solution exists in the current market, finds a technology company capable of providing it, and successfully develops the solution together, the likelihood of its adoption increases significantly. 

This results in: a need met for the organisation, a first client for the developing company, and a substantial economic, social, and quality impact on the healthcare system. 

For this reason, the fact that several innovation projects following this model are currently underway in Murcia is fantastic news, even for other regions that may eventually replicate the system. 

3 projects in progress 

At present, the Murcia Health Service is working with six development companies on three solutions for identified needs. 

A Regional Value Chain that identifies, solves, and capitalises on Healthcare Challenges 

 

An ecosystem in motion 

For the demand-driven & co-creative innovation methodology to be successfully implemented, the development of solutions involves a healthcare organisation (Challenger), a developing company (Solver – SME), and a Regional Ecosystem Supporter (ES). 

The role of the Ecosystem Supporter: What exactly does Ticbiomed do? 

• Identify and shape Innovation Challenges: Ticbiomed helps organisations identify their needs and transform them into innovation challenges. This involves engaging with all their stakeholders, conducting market consultations, assessing adoption possibilities, and refining outcomes into efficient and attractive challenges for SMEs. 

• Collaborate in the search and selection of the most suitable SMEs to address the challenges.  

• Support the co-creation process: Ticbiomed facilitates the alignment of interests, coordination, and goal achievement. It also anticipates various factors impacting adoption, such as ensuring the necessary budget allocations and involving decision-makers from the start. 

• Monitoring and scaling. In the final stages of the project, Ticbiomed provides thorough monitoring to support the adoption and scaling of the solution. 

At Ticbiomed, we are experts in this essential coordination and oversight role, which is particularly critical in projects involving entities with diverse mindsets, methodologies, priorities, and sometimes even conflicting objectives. 

When these innovation projects are part of broader initiatives (e.g., European projects), we also act as a bridge between regions. As an Ecosystem Supporter, we facilitate communication, learning, and collaboration across regions. 

HealthChain: An effective and replicable innovation model 

Ticbiomed serves as the Ecosystem Supporter for the Region of Murcia in HealthChain project, which includes the development of the three solutions currently underway. 

In addition to supporting and coordinating regional work, Ticbiomed plays a key role in replicating the model in other regions, known as Mirror Regions. 

Interregional Benefits 

The project’s interregional component brings significant advantages, further highlighting the importance of the Ecosystem Supporter role: 

• Fostering Interregional Collaboration. This includes resource optimisation and the multiplication of opportunities by involving SMEs from other regions in some projects. 

• Building a Community of Practice. The successive involvement of stakeholders from different regions has led to the creation of a vibrant Community of Practice. This community facilitates knowledge transfer, continuous learning, and the exchange of information and best practices. 

HealthChain began with a consortium of organisations from five European regions. To date, five Mirror Regions have joined, and more regions will replicate the model in the coming months, creating new innovation opportunities that enhance regional competitiveness and positively impact healthcare systems.

The Region of Murcia is one of the original regions in the project, with Ticbiomed and the Murcia Health Service as partners. The work of its ecosystem is not only yielding results locally but also serving as a source of inspiration and reference for other regions.