Karliczek: Overcoming the corona pandemic with innovative medical products and diagnostics

"To combat Covid-19 and future waves of infection, we also depend on innovative medical technology. These are products that help with healthcare in a physical way, such as ventilators or PCR tests. That is why we are now investing 20 million euros in the research and development of innovative medical technology. We are thus expanding our specialist program in medical technology, which aims to improve patient care and make the healthcare system more efficient.

Many medical technology companies reacted quickly to the crisis. For example, you have developed new diagnostics and brought them to market. This is where we want to start now. Because the need for innovations is still high. The new funding measure is aimed at all those involved in medical technology. What we need are multidisciplinary research approaches with actors from business, science and users.

In order to be able to react now in the pandemic, the new funding measure has two orientations: Until September 28th projects for the development of medical technology intended for the current pandemic can still be submitted. Until January 30, 2021 applications with a longer-term dimension can be submitted. Because good research is important. But now we also have to make sure that the innovations reach people as quickly as possible!”

Hintergrund:

The pandemic situation also requires new solutions and innovative products in the field of medical technology. This involves, for example, fast and reliable diagnostics, gentler ventilation methods, efficient methods to contain infections or systems to improve therapy management. The need for quick, simple and meaningful infection diagnostics is still very high. The use of digital, intelligent structural solutions and more modern patient management systems should also make the pandemic measures in the healthcare system even more efficient.

The funding measure on the topic "Prevention and care of epidemic infections with innovative medical technology" supports research and innovation needs for the care of Covid-19 patients and for combating the SARS-CoV-2 virus through innovative medical technology.

Promising product, process or service innovations for the prevention and care of epidemic infections are to be developed in joint projects. Consortia between medical technology companies, clinical care, academic institutions and/or health care research are funded, which address relevant care processes when infections with epidemic potential occur. The thematic priorities of R&D funding include medical technology for the prevention, protection and containment of infections, diagnosis of infections and the resulting diseases, and innovative medical technology for therapy/follow-up care in home, outpatient or inpatient treatment.

Source: BMBF press release of September 11.09.2020, XNUMX