From innovation to commercialisation: Roche Diagnostics leader delves into the bottlenecks and future trends

MedTech & Diagnostics News: The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly shed light on the critical importance of accessible diagnostic products in managing emerging infectious diseases. Ben Robinson, Head of Access and Innovation at Roche Diagnostics, recently participated in a panel at the BioMelbourne Network’s BioSymposium, where he discussed the current and future ecosystem of point-of-care testing.

In an engaging Health Industry Hub podcast, Ben shared key insights on product development challenges in the diagnostics sector. He emphasised the need for startups to focus on the impact of their products on clinical workflows and engage the medical community early on.

Manufacturing challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, were also discussed. Ben highlighted the reliance on supply chains and the need to ensure a steady flow of raw materials for local manufacturing. The conversation then shifted to the bottlenecks surrounding market access and commercialisation of innovative diagnostics.

“One of the big challenges is access and commercialisation. Unfortunately, a lot of the really good technologies that we’re developing in Australia are going straight overseas,” he said.

Looking ahead, Ben highlighted Roche Diagnostics’ commitment to improving equity of access and patient outcomes through innovations. He referred to a next-generation medical device with an open digital health ecosystem that enables a range of applications, from digital cardiographs to eye screening, to drive improved patient outcomes through innovative solutions.

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