Biodesign Finland brings new solutions to the hospital world

Biodesign Finland is based on the Biodesign concept developed at Stanford University. In Biodesign, systematically identi­fied medical needs are solved by in­venting and implementing new bio­medical technologies.

Biodesign aims to improve medical care by providing a novel entrepreneurial programme to se­lected interdisciplinary teams and by creating new businesses. Biodesign Finland is organised by Aalto University, University of Helsinki and The Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa.

- Basic research and the know-how of high technology will lead to new discoveries and applications of methods, says Risto Ilmoniemi from Aalto University’s Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering and the coordinator of Biodesign Finland.

The Biodesign Finland faculty consists of Academy Professor Risto Ilmoniemi, Professor Paavo Kinnunen and Dr.  Jaakko Nieminen from Aalto University, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Risto Renkonen from the University of Helsinki, Aalto Ventures Program’s Executive in Residence, Dr. Olli Vuola and Dr. Visa Honkanen, Development Officer from Helsinki University Hospital.

- The programme educates new specialists who have the knowledge to solve important issues in medical care. This can provide the basis for new companies and a growing medtech industry.

After initial training, the team is immersed in a clinic for one month to observe its processes. The first team will work at the Hospital for Children and Adolescents in Meilahti, Helsinki. The team’s task during im­mersion is to identify one hundred needs that have not been opti­mally met. The team will consist of two medical doctors and two persons with a degree in engineering, industrial design or business.

After immersion, the team will brainstorm and ana­lyze these needs in order to determine the most important and solvable ones. Eventually, one need will be chosen and a solution developed for clinical use and commercialisation.

If a Biodesign project is successful it can continue with the support of the Biodesign community. Both the Stanford program and, e.g., School of International Biodesign in New Delhi have been very successful, leading to several new start-ups, licensed products and approved technical solutions.

The purpose is to establish Biodesign Finland as an annual educational program.

More information:

www.biodesignfinland.fi